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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1495.PDF
SEPTEMBER 4TH a.53- The Valetta CMkl can bs adapted for a number of transport duties. In freighter form, as above, the largt double-entrance doer makes possible the carriage of vehicles, guns, etc. An alternative load would be 36 troops. NEWEST RAF. TRANSPORT Vickers Valetta with Two Bristol Hercules 230s Now Flying A VALUABLE new addition to the transport fleet of f\ the Royal Air Force is the Vickers Valetta C Mk. I. •*••*• It may be regarded as a modified form of the Viking IB, the principal differences being in the equipment, crew arrangements and power plants. The provision of a large, double-entrance door to the fuselage and heavily reinforced flooring make the Valetta suitable for use as a heavy freighter as well as for troop transport, and, in addition to these primary duties, it may be equipped for the carriage of paratroopers and their equipment, for glider towing, supply dropping or ambulance work. The two Bristol Hercules 230 engines together give 600 extra "horse power for take-off, and although the Valetta's permissible all-up weight of 36,000 lb is 2,000 lb more than that of the Viking IB, the already excellent take-off, climb and single-engine performance should be improved. In its primary role as troop carrier, the Valetta has accommodation for a maximum of 36 men, and under these circumstances the range is 255 nautical miles at its cruising PRINCIPAL DATA Span 89ft 3in Length 65ft 2in Height ' 19ft 6in Gross wing area ... ... ... .- - . ... ... 882 $q ft Wing loading (max a.u.w.l ... 49 Ib/si) ft Structure weight .'. ll,20llb Bare weight ... 20,2291b Basic weight (with crew) 24,9801b Max all-up weight ... ... ... .. : - ... ... .. 36,0001b Max fuel capacity . 724 gal Max speed ' ... 255 let at 3,000ft Recommended cruising speed 183 kt at 10,000ft Ceiling 21,5000ft Climb (max a.u.w.) 8 min to 10,000ft speed of 150 knots. If 30 men are carried the range is increased to 630 miles. Considerable attention has been paid to the comfort of the troops, and the cabin is air conditioned, ventilated and "sound-proofed. Oxygen is provided for crew and passengers, and a ten-gallon tank of drinking water is situated at the aft end of the cabin. There are fourteen windows for the cabin, all of which are designed as pull-in escape hatches. The seats in the cabin are arranged facing aft and all are built to withstand 25 g in a for- ward direction in the event of a crash landing. When equipped as a paratrooper the Valetta accommodates either ten or twenty men, and up to nine 350-lb containers. Under these circumstances the range varies from 415 to 1,300 nautical miles, while for ambulance duties and a maximum of twenty stretcher cases plus two sitting cases and. two orderlies can be carried. As a freighter the Valetta can carry 6,850 lb for 1,000 miles, and the entry doors are large enough to permit the carriage of a jeep or guns. Finally, as a glider-tug the Valetta can tow an aircraft of up to 17,000 lb total weight. The roomy and welllaid-out cockpit and crew compartment will commend them- selves to squadrons equipped with Valettas. Two pilots, a navigator and a radio operator are carried.
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