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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1601.PDF
September lUh, 1947 ferred to the fact that the Government was en- couraging industry to export. The aircraft industry needed no such encouragement. It was going all-out for business. As an instance he quoted the establish- ment of S.B.A.C. offices overseas, who kept in very close touch with customers, and it was hoped very soon to provide repair and maintenance facilities in a number of places. Having been closely in touch with the various manufacturers for some weeks past, and knowing bow they have exerted themselves to have proto- types "ready for Radlett" it was particularly gratifying to see so many new designs among the military and civil aircraft displayed. That the Hawker N. 7/46 naval jet fighter could not be present because of an official ban was, of course, a keen dis- appointment, particularly to MrrCamm and his team. The omission of the Saunders Roe S.R. / Ai jet flying- ~boat fighter from the flying programme was another reason for acute regret. A minor fuel feed problem was responsible. Though not all able, or permitted, to take part in the flying demonstration, the following new military types were represented : the Westland Wyvern naval strike fighter and Blackburn S 28/43 torpedo dive- bomber aircraft, the Prestwick and Heston A.O.P. monoplanes, the Mercury-engined Boulton Paul P.108 gainer prototype and the Vickers Valetta medium transport. Civil newcomers were the Airspeed Ambassador, Handley Page Hermes II, Avro Tudor VII, Short Solent, Miles Merchantman and M.68, Percival Merganser, Cunliffe-Owen Concordia, Ports- mouth Aerocar, Newbury Eon, and Auster Avis. Membership of the '' rotary club'' this year included the Fairey Gyrodyne in addition to the Cierva Wo,. Gliders were more in evidence than usual (a healthy sign) and the Fairey Stooge had the dis- tinction of being the first—and only—guided missile to be exhibited. Among the engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce, Napiers and Alvis had novel, if not precisely new, exhibits. Rolls-Royce showed, for the first time, a part-sectioned Nene gas-turbine, whilst Napiers had on view a nicely painted and polished Naiad 1,500 h.p. airscrew-turbine, this being the "water nymph's " public debut. Alvis exhibited a helicopter power-plant version of the Leonides which appeared to be an extremely neat unit and, moreover, one which would seem to permit easy installation. Inevitably, one finds oneself remembering last year's " Radlett " and making comparisons. Was this year's a better show than last? Yes, unquestionably it was. It was more complete. There were virtually no gaps and our whole aviation effort was embraced. Objectively, it was a better show than 1946's. Sub- jectively, it was not: but only because last year was a renaissance after too many lost years and the con- lr<H>or<f <rfeo leg on the M. 66. mainer wheth are normally inches from the ground, but may be removed. The CtntowiB-trtg'wtd Hswktt Furr ste/icfe dirersiiy of lose midst the The three General Aircraft research gliders : top, the " U," centre, "maximum V," and below, the "medium V." the
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