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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 1535.PDF
September i6tk, 1948 347 With its tow wing-loading, the A.W. 52 Nene%) touches gently dawn. the swarthy Lincoln; then by a Valetta, with underslung supply carriers and cropped tail for glider-towing; a proto- type Marathon; the daintily painted Dove, with de Havil- land braking airscrews; and a stalwart, lorry-laden Bristol New Type 170. Airborne, this impressive assortment of types went through a nicely synchronized succession of dives, zooms, asymmetric fly-pasts and low turns. The Hastings and Valetta showed that modern troopships can be handled like yachts, and the Lincoln gaye its well- known imitation of a fighter-bomber. As the Dove passed by at a brisk pace on the power of a single Gipsy Queen, an Air Vice-Marshal was heard to observe in a disappointed tone: " This chap has only one propeller feathered." We can only hope that the Dove made amends in his estima- tion by its rapid braking and reversal after touch-down. Major Oliver Stewart having remarked, in his friendly, informative commentary, that the Saunders-Roe S.R./Ai jet flying-boat would appear in advance of the Short Solent, all eyes sought to detect, in the distant grey, the unfamiliar form of this very remarkable machine. Without delay the A1 hove into sight, nosing down towards the long runway. With its keel close above the concrete arid the twin Metro- vick Beryls roaring with true marine vigour, the compact little Saro made its d6but at some 500 m.p.h., present- ing a picture which will not readily be forgotten by those fortunate enough to see it. Equally memorable were the slow rolls and tight turns which followed, the rolls, in particular, being amongst the most perfect observed during the day. Perhaps the most startling spectacle of this year's display (witnessed on the Wednesday) was the "Ai's" inverted fly-over, which, at one point, brought the fin within less than 100 feet of the ground. Even without the inspiration afforded by the agile Ai, the Short Solent commercial flying-boat, which now boomed over at low level, was certain to impress. It will be a sad day indeed when one of its family fails to appear at an S.B.A.C. Display, for these stately Shorts are a never-failing source of delight and interest as they dip low in their marine majesty. With only two of its four Hercules in action, Scarborough (the name could be easily discerned) (Below) The thousandth Fairey Firefly, with typical loads. (Upper right) Approach of the Avro Athena 2. (Lower right) The Gyrodyne passes by. dived, zoomed and turned, arousing some apprehension for any beverages which might have been left on the bar. By way of contrast, the Auster 7, Prestwick Pioneer and Fairey Gyrodyne now set out to demonstrate the ability of such specialized machines to operate from confined areas. The Auster 7, of course, reproduces all the characteristics of the better-known Mk. 6, which in itself is sufficient praise; the Pioneer appeared to fly slower than any other fixed-type wing; and the Gyrodyne left no doubt as to the accuracy of the timing apparatus used to check its* world's record flight at 124.3 m.p.h. (On Wednesday the Pioneer's 20-yard landing run was unequivocably established.) Straight down the runway, at negligible height, there now roared the Boulton Paul Balliol 2 (Merlin), demonstrat- ing its smooth, powerful ailerons by alternating rapidly from bank to bank, finally pulling up steeply into a cloud. The Balliol's performance clinched the reputation which this type founded for itself at Radlett last year. On that occa- sion the model flown was the Mercury-engined P. 108, of appreciably lower power. Having at former displays examined models—flying and static—of the A.W.52 flying-wing research aircraft, guests were impatient to witness the performance of the full-scale Nene-powered machine which now took the stage. Should
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