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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1285.PDF
AUGUST JTH, 1947 FLIGHT 127 Introducing THE 5ARO Al Geoffrey Tyson Demonstrates New Jet Flying-Bo&i af <§owes k Illustrated py "Flight" photdgraphs' A T lunch\hne last Wednesday week the first of three l\ prototypes—ot-fne new Saunders-Roe S.R. /Ai jet X \. fighter flying-boat, powered by two MetropoJitan- Vickers Beryl (F2/4) axial-flow turbo jets, took off from Cowes in about 12 seconds for her first run over the M.V. Medina. In this craft and attendant launches representa- tives of the R.A.F., Naval Aviation, the Royal Aircraft Establishment, at least one foreign government, Saunders- Roe, Ltd., Metropolitan-Vickers and the Press, waited for the unique aircraft to show her paces. It was Geoffrey Tyson's fifth flight in the machine, the first having been made on July 16th, since when no modifications of any consequence have been demanded. The quick, short take-off and subsequent steep climb were particularly remarkable because the Beryls at present installed are de- rated to only 3,300 lb thrust. Units of 3,500 lb are immediately available, and the Beryl has lately passed its official type test at a rating of 3,850 lb. It must be made clear, incident- ally, that in this instance the name is that of the precious stone, and not of any particularly inspiring Metro- vick personality. Off in 11 Seconds For the photographers Tyson made four take-offs and landings, flew tight turns and came past very low at speeds up to 400 m.p.h., the highest he has yet attained. His shortest take-off could hardly have taken more than 11 seconds; this was one of two during which he retracted his stabiliz- ing floats as soon as he felt that he had lateral control of the aircraft. His flying and judgment of distance were, as always, flawless, and he later told us that he is " remarkably pleased" with the handling of the boat. Water performance seems to be especially good in view of the aerody- namic qualities of the design. So far, of course, maximum speed has not been approached, but with two Beryls of 3,850 lb thrust this may well be considerably in excess of 500 m.p.h. Much testing remains to be done, par- ticularly at height, and it is improb- able that Tyson will attempt any aero- batics at the S.B.A.C. display this year. All being well, however, visitors will be given an indication of what can be accomplished by a really modern marine fighter. Points which were particularly noticed, apart from Tyson's confi- dence, were the relative silence of the Beryls and the absence of any deposit on the hull aft of the jet pipes (due, no doubt, to the fact that the effluxes A perfect example of demonstration flying : Geoffrey Tyson makes a tight circuit for the benefit of the photographers and ob servers aboard the "Medina."
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