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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1240.PDF
too FLIGHT JULY 31st, 1947 Carriers in the Clyde type ot aircraft aboard. This machine was coloured silver. The meagre and unrepresentative display of aircraft seemed to be the only cause for regret on this great occa sion. In addition to the Sea Hornet there was a hack Seafire 46 from P'ord, a Firefly IV (without wing nacelles), Illus- trious's own A.S.R. Sea Otter and a Swordfish. Why the Navy persists in displaying a Swordfish on every possible occasion is becoming difficult to fathom. The record of the Stringbag speaks for itself, and the type'is already immor- talized as a war winner; but even valiant warriors can be- come bores. Happily, one did not hear the familiar claim that the machine was " the very last of its type saved from the scrap heap." One understands, in fact, that three Stringbags remain. There would undoubtedly have been a place for the Swordfish in the Display had it been accompanied, say, by a Sea Vampire, the Navalized Attacker, the Wyvern, Firecrest, Sturgeon and Seafang, the night fighter Sea Hornet, and a Sea Mos- quito. Perhaps the most regrettable omission of all was the Sea Fury X, now in quarftity production as a standard Naval fighter. Some of the types mentioned could hardly be spared without undue disruption of test or develop ment programmes, but the fact remains that "The latest types of Naval aircraft" having been widely advertised, the air-minded youth of Scotland will have been sadly disappointed. Trials Carrier The Illustrious, is, of course, the most appropriatq» setting for a display of modern Naval machines. Her Service role is that of TrialsCarrier and her duties—and some of her recent activities—were described for us by Cdr.Kearney, who was, incidentally, formerly Assistant C.N.R. at the Ministry of Supply.As Trials Carrier the ship is sponsored by the Admiralty and the Ministry of Supply for thedevelopment of Naval aircraft and associated equipment, such as radar and handling gear.The first series of trials to which a new deck- landing aircraft is subjected are known as Pro-totype Trials. These are not undertaken until the A. & A.E.E. at Boscombe Down hasassessed the machine from the Naval stand- point and until it has been put "throughthe wires'' at the Royal Aircraft Estab lishment. Here deceleration forces andother factors are determined. Prototype trials are primarily concerned -with initia!deck landings and last a few weeks (three to four in the case of the Short Sturgeonrecently tested), calling for a dozen or more landings. Arresting qualities, undercarriage characteris- tics and general handling of the aircraft are specially studied. As the production aircraft begin to come through, two of them are secured for Intensive Handling Trials and each makes about 100 landings. Included in the intensive trials programme are accelerator launches at various wind speeds and with various cross-wind components. All flying is done by the Service Trials Unit based at the R.N.A.S. Ford, commanded by Lt. Cdr. R. H. P. Carver, D.S.C., and the only aircraft normally retained aboard are two Barracudas for ferry work, and an A.S.R. Sea Otter. As head of the Air Department Cdr. Kearney is respon- sible for the flying programmes and for co-ordinatina ; reports. Recent activities hkve included the in tens;;-^ landing trials of the Firefly IV, Sea Fury X amd SeafiW> 47, and prototype trials of the Sturgeon which, inciden- tally, were highly successful. Lt. Cdr. Lithgow, Vickers- Supermarine test pilot, himself made eight landings on (Top) His Majesty the King inspects the Royal Marine Guard of Honour on the flight deck of H.M.S. " Illustrious." Be/ow is the stern of this Fleet Carrier and on the left is Sdr. R. £. Nfc Kearney. O.R.E., head of the Air Department in "Illustrious."
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