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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 2143.PDF
DECEMBER I8TH, 1947 FLIGHT 679 Thanks to the contraprop a straightforward first take-off was, in fact, straight. A prolonged take-off drill haa •; ::-.••• ••'•" ;."" •-:.;-•• .' ' hence the radiator flap in the manual open position. " Flight " photograph. suited in a rather hot engine. M-B V in Ifce Air Reflections Upon Flying the Martin-Baker Fighter : Rolls-Royce Griffon Engine with "Contraprop" By Wirrg Commander M. A. SMITH, D.F.C. T!kHERE is no doubt that when the Martin-Baker Vmade its first flight in May, 1944, it was in manyways ahead of its time. A great deal might have been learned from such an aircraft had it been put into production and service, and if a decision had been taken without undue delay, the M-B V (five) could have reachedthe squadrons in time to do useful work against the enemy. According to the Experimental Establishment at BoscombeDown the aircraft was perhaps the best all-round fighter ever tested by them. However, jet fighters are now the order of the day, and the M-BV is of historical interest only. Nevertheless, there is "not a lot to choose between the performance of this three-and-a-half-year-old aircraft and the piston - enginedfighters which are still in service, while of the generaldesign and layout the official pronouncement in March,1946, was that "this aircraft is excellent and is greatlysuperior, from the engineering The exceptionally wide track makes the M-B V pleasantly stable for handling on the ground. When taxying into a bright, low sun as in this photograph, the flickering caused by the six airscrew blades is
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