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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0613.PDF
APRIL 14TH, 1949 FLIGHT SIT With two IQO-go// drop-tanks, as seen above, the Vampire 5 has a range of up to 1,145 m//es. Performance : Handling : Armament : Tactics : Functions ATHREEFOLD purpose underlies the followingstudy—to present a realistic picture of the tasks nowconfronting fighter aircraft; to assess the operational qualities of current types ; and to indicate the likely channels of development. The opinions advanced are not necessarily those of the Air Ministry or any Crown depart- ment and information from foreign sources is freely drawn upon to elucidate points which might otherwise be obscured by British security restrictions. Standard fighters of the Powers are briefly reviewed by way of introduction. Britain's first jet fighters—the Gloster Meteor and de Havilland Vampire—were adopted by the Royal Air Force during the late months of the Second World War, and no more convincing proof of their merit could be adduced than their continued employment, after four years' service, in ever-increasing quantities and varieties. Their unique qualities and potentialities will later be examined in SOUK By H. F. KING, M.B.E. detail, but it is appropriate to observe here that the Meteor, by virtue of its preponderance of thrust, is capable of very high speeds, and rates of climb unequalled by any other standard fighter. The Meteor, in fact, answers to the characteristically British formula of a home-defence intercepter, in which speed, climb and acceleration are predominant factors; it is nevertheless versatile enough " to be used for low-level attack or photo- graphic reconnaissance, although the R.A.F. is not at present employing Meteors for these purposes. Itself an intercepter of great merit, the Vampire, at its present stage of evolution, is not the equal of the Meteor in maximum speed and rate of climb, especially at low and medium levels. Its particular virtues are those which stem from a low wing-loading and moderate thrust. Manoeuvrability and stability—especially at height—are of a very high order, and in sweetness of control the Vampire admits, no peer Range and endurance, as demonstrated Three Meteor 4s make a spectacular " display " take-off without the 180-go/l ventral tanks normally fitted.
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