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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0005.PDF
JANUARY 6TH, 1949 FLIGHT A FEROCIOUS BREED T - A tight formation of Blackburn Firebrand single-seat strike aircraft of Naval Aviation epitomizes the excellent control, demanded of all aircraft in this class. Unlike the later Blackburn S. 28j43, the present-day Firebrand was developed from a war-time fighter. Hitting Power and "Toughness" Characterize the Modern Line of Single-Seat Strike Aircraft FIREBRAND, Mauler, Skyraider—the very namescommand a healthy respect for the single-seaterstrike or " attack " aircraft now serving the Navies of Britain and the U.S.A. But the potency of these machines, and others of their category, is better expressed in terms of high-explosive and steel than in graphic nomenclature. Though remarkably compact, they are among the world's heaviest, most powerful and most versatile single-seaters, and are capable of deliver- ing a devastating punch in the form of bombs, torpedoes,, rocket projectiles or depth charges. Before examining the features and operational characteristics of this aggressive brotherhood it is well to consider the reasons underlying the reversion to the single-seater layout. Use of the word "reversion" in this connection may well cause surprise, for it is not generally remembered that some of the earliest British torpedoplanes—truly the first of the Naval " strike '' machines—carried only the pilot in addition to their war load. Of these, the Short Shirl and Blackburn Dart were two of the most successful. In the early days, however, the considerations governing crew provision (reduction of weight, to allow a full-size torpedo and a worth-while quantity of fuel to be carried) were very different from those pertaining in recent times. As design tech- nique developed, torpedo bombers sub- sequent to the Dart were generally two- seaters (e.g., Ripon and Baffin) and the The extent of the "finger "-type dive brakes and the stowage of the fuselage bomb are apparent in this stern view of the Martin Mauler. >, c 5 tendency was to increase fuel, navigational aids, etc., instead of augmenting the offensive load. It is true, in fact, to say that the actual war load (bombs or torpedo) was little improved for nearly 20 years, though the means of delivering it effectively were made progres- sively surer. In the years preceding the war a vogue for three- seater "T.S.R." (torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance) machines had established itself, but, though economical and extremely versatile, this class, by reason of its bulk and low performance, proved unduly vulnerable to fighter and anti-aircraft opposition. The legendary Swordfish, or "Stringbag," showed, nevertheless, that under cover of darkness, or with adequate support, it could cause as much, or more, damage to enemy shipping and installations than vastly more expensive and elaborate types. A machine reproducing the esssential characteristics of the Swordfish (heavy load for low
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