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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1546.PDF
FLIGHT September nfh, uJ47 New and Established Types for Radlett AT least six new types of military aircraft—theWestland Wyvern and Blackburn S. 28/43^ naval strike machines, the Saro S.R./Ai flying-boat fighter, the Heston A.O.P., and the Boulton- Paul P. 108 and Avro Athena advanced trainers, seem likely to be demonstrated this year at Radlett. Various developments of older designs, e.g., the Vickers Valetta, will be represented. At least two other new types of advanced design and sensational performance, which at one time it was hoped might be present, are unlikely to be released in time. Even so, the designs which re- appear—some of them considerably improved since last year—make a splendid showing. Together with other current types of military aircraft they are described and illustrated on these pages. Contractions : I.R.C.= initial rate Since last year's display Great Britain has lost to America the speed record of 616 m.p.h. established by a Gloster Meteor IV. The record was secured in the first instance by a drastically modified Lockheed Shooting Star fighter, and has since been raised to 650 m.p.h, by a Douglas Skystreak research aircraft. This loss, in view of Britain's indisputable lead in jet propulsion technique, is a regrettable setback to our prestige but its technical significance must not be overrated. Radlett will serve as a reminder that in the Meteor IV we have ^he fastest standard fighter in the world. The Vampire, while of lower performance, possesses unique qualities which will long maintain it in the front rank of military aircraft, and the Attacker, already capable of 590 m.p.h. will be developed for yet greater speeds, r of climb. R.O.C.= raie of climb. Avro LincolnN OW the standard heavy bomber of the Royal Air Force, the Lincoln B Mk. II carries the same bomb-load as its predecessor, the Lancaster, for a longer range and with a greater measure of pro- tection. With 3,000 lb of bombs a range of 4,450 miles is attainable. FunctionConstruction Power Plant No. of crew Span Length Gross wing area Normal gross weight ... Normal wing loading ... Maximum speed Climb ... •Range with typicalload.... Service ceiling Typical armament BombingMetal FOUR Rolls-Royce Merlin 68A 7-8 120ft 78ft 9in 1,421 sq ft 82,000 Ib 57 Ib/sqft Over 300 m.p.h. »5.000ft in 22 min 2,800 mites 35,OOOft 4 x O.Sin, plus 2 x 20 mm cuns Avro York THE York C. Mk. I is a capacious air-craft with qualities which suit it for military transport. It is extensively used by Royal Air Force Transport Command, which also operates Avro Lancastrians. These are somewhat faster, but much less capacious, adaptations of the Lancaster bomber. To expedite production the York was designed to use major com- ponents of the Lancaster. The wings, power plants, undercarriage and main tail unit are identical. Function Construction Power plant No. of crew Span .Length ... Gross wing area Normal gross weight -Normal wing loading Maximum speed Climb Range with typical load Service ceiling Transport Metal Four Rolls-Royce Merlin 24 4-5 102ft 78ft 6in 1,297 sq ft 68,000-71,000 Ib S4.8 Ib/sq ft 306 m.p.h. at 10.800ft IRC. 830 ft min . 2,600 miles 26,000ft Avro Athena "PRECEDED by a line of successful -t training aircraft which originated as long ago as 1914 in the Avro 504, the Athena T. Mk. I, now being developed by A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd., of Man- chester, is a three-seater of very advanced design, intended to be powered either by an Armstrong-Siddeley Mamba or a Rolls-Royce Dart airscrew turbine unit. The prototype will have a Mercury or Merlin piston engine. A notable point of the design is the extremely good field of vision from the cockpit. Side-by-side seating is provided for the instructor and one pupil, and a rear seat for a second pupil. Functions Training (several forms) Construction Metal Power plant ... ... Armstrong - Siddeley Mamba or Rolls-Royce Dart No. of crew Three Span 40ft Length 37ft lOin Auster Mark VI ARTILLERY observation and liaison -**• aircraft, made by Auster Aircraft, Ltd., Rearsby, Leicester, are used not only by the British Army but by the Canadian, Dutch, Belgian and Greek Armies. The Mark VI is an advance on the wartime types and has a greater range and carrying capacity. A strengthened fuselage has permitted an increase in all-up weight and specially developed aerofoil flaps have been fitf behind the trailing edge. Functions Construction Power plant No. of crew Span Length Gross wing area Normal gross weight Normal wing loading Maximum speed Climb —Service ceiling Army reconnaissance. Liaison Composite D.H. Gipsy Major VII Two . 36ft 23ft 9in 184.5 sq ft • 2,160 ib 11.75 Ib sc, ft 123 m.p.h. at 1,000ft 8l0ft/min
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