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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 1444.PDF
286 FLIGHT SEPTEMBER QTH, 1948 well-tried Lincoln and the "New Look" bombers which must be planned. An official statement on this subject would be welcomed. The nation is entitled to an assurance that the gap will not be permitted to persist. It has so happened that, by a turn of circumstances, a number of American heavy bombers are at present stationed in this country, where they have been able to help by joining the Air Exercises. But that was a for- tuitous addition which could hardly have been, visual- ized when the new equipment policy for the Royal Air Force was formulated. The fact that our American friends are likely to remain in this country until the pTesent political situation has been cleared up is re- assuring, even if it reflects no particular credit on our earlier policy makers. Motive PowerC ONSIDERABLE satisfaction must be felt by. any- one who studies the British power-plant industry, the products of which were described, illustrated and tabulated in last week's issue. British manufac- turers can show a remarkable range, of prime movers, reciprocating as well as turbines, most of which have already proved their worth and reliability either in actual use over a number of years or by passing strenu- ous endurance tests on the bench. The only field which is not yet adequately covered by British manufacturers occurs at the low-power end of the scale, where there are no engines in actual quan- tity production of less than 100 horse power. That situation, however, will probably be remedied sooner or later, and the Ultra Light Aircraft Association is doing good pioneer work in pressing manufacturers for low- power engines. At the other end of the scale, in the 3,000 h.p. or over class, we have but two types, of which the Napier Sabre has seen war service and a good deal of development, while the Rolls-Royce Eagle, although already rated at 3,500 h.p., is undoubtedly capable of further develop- ment, judging from the history of the Merlin. The ract CONTENTS Outlook :.---.. Farnborough M8 ,Air Exercises Here and There - - - - - - ; Civil Aviation News - - - - - From all Quarters - - - - ' - Six of the Best - - - - . - . - British Aircraft Rotating-Wing Aircraft - - - - Gliders - - - - - - Demonstrators - - Viscount on View Service Aviation Correspondence The Industry ------ Forthcoming Events, page 294. 285 . 287 289 29,0 292 294 295 297 309 311 312 313 315 316 317 that the Eagle is fitted in one aircraft only, the Westland Wyvern, appears to,indicate that present plans do not , include it in the future "programme. - In the gas turbine field Great Britain is holding her own. Present types include seven turboprops and nine turbojets, and one very encouraging aspect of the picture is that no fewer than six individual firms are developing these sixteen gas-turbine power plants. Spreading the load in this way makes for more rapid progress and guards against unforeseen delays. Closely associated with future engine development is the fuel question. The decision to concentrate on tur- bines is likely to bring problems of supply. Itthas been stated on more than one occasion by fuel experts that although there will be enough kerosene for civil require- ments, the demands of the British and American air forces will exceed any foreseeable production. With that possibility in mind, steps are already being taken to use petrol fuels for the turbines, and it is significant that one British firm, Dowty Equipment, Ltd., has recently completed a 500-hours' non-stop test on a fuel pump running on straight aviation petrol without any lubricant. ^&wr**~ " Fltgltt " photograph, FOR NIGHT OPERATIONS : Mark 26 night-fighter Mosquitoes about to take off for routine flying test during the Alr^x^cises. ' ' scanners can be seen behind the dear Perspex nose. Standing patrols and scramble crews were maintained by the defen A 22
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