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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 2083.PDF
NOVEMBER 27TH, 1947 FLIGHT 613 A Swiss-built military trainer—the Pilatus PE-2. Other trainers in use are the Me 103. Bucker lungmann and jungmeister. Details of the engine installation, radiators and gun positions in the D-3802. Alpine Air Force • under the unusual flying conditions obtaining in Switzerland. * The Swiss haye not disclosed the number of Vampires on order, but the total is probably between 75 and 100 .machines. The first four acquired were standard Mk. Is with the long- range wing and 100-gal. wing drop tanks. : Deliveries" began on July 27th, 1946, and the ; second aircraft, piloted by John Cunningham, t made the 475 miles to Geneva in 71 minutes on .'July 29th', 1946. The majority of the order will probably be filled by the Vampire VI, a special •Swiss ground-track version of the R.A.F. Mk ;^y. The Mk. VI has a Goblin III engine giving kri extra 300 1b thrust compared with the 5- 3>ooo, lb. thrust of the Vampire I's Goblin II.' The wing is strengthened and clipped to accommodate heavier armament loads,-and a new undercarriage takes care of the increase in all-up weight. As with the Sea Vampire XX, the wing clipping is not dictated by the possibility of structural weakness so much as to forestall any trouble whatsoever before it starts. Multi-Purpose Two Seaters ^ The design of the C-3603/4 two-seaters has its roots in the C-36 of 1939, but the latest version, the C-3604, is still quite suitable for its particular tactical duties of reconnais- sance and general ground support. As with the D-3802, JjSJw^r is stepped-up to 1,250 h.p. and the very commendable Top speed of 348 m.p.h. is claimed. Armament is very Maid-of-all-work, of the Swiss Air Force, the C-3603 is unusual among single- engined aircraft in having twin fins and rudders. heavy, and apart from the YS2 moteur-canon consists oltwo 20 mm cannon and two machine-guns in the wings, and two machine-guns on a free mounting in the rear cockpit,plus various combinations of bombs or rockets. Loaded weight is 9,480 lb and time to 30,000ft, 14.8 min. The Air Regiments of the Swiss Air Force are backed bya competent Air Defence Warning Service and several anti-aircraft formations, the whole being knit into a smallbut highly organized and effective force. Since no heavy aircraft are operated, aircrews come into either pilot 01observer categories. The three squadrons of the Training Group use the Pilatus PE-2, Bucker Jungmaiin and Jung-meister, and the Me 108 Taifun; the latter type and the Fii56 Storch are employed on general liaison and com-munication duties. Possibly, the Me 109s and D-3800Sformerly in first-line service are retained a^ reserve air-craft or operational trainers. Messerschmitt Me IO9Gs, as used by the Luftwaffe in the later war years, now serve as advanced trainers in the Swiss Air Force.
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