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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0619.PDF
APRIL I4TH, 1949 FLIGHT: 4ZX. Fighter Requirements the fightei might need to open fire from a level below the bomber. The possibility must always be considered that, following the German example, an enemy may operate small numbers of highly specialized bombers or reconnaissance machines at appreci- ably higher levels than liis standard types. It is prudent, therefore, to consider the service ceiling (height at -which rate of climb has dropped to 500 ft/min) attainable by the defending fighters. Makers' performance data show that the Meteor 4 has a service ceiling ot 44,500ft, that is 2,200ft higher than that of the Vam- pire 5, but 1,000ft less than the Vampire 6 with Goblin 3. Such figures, however, are solely of academic in- terest unless related to the handling qualities at high altitudes, and here the Vampire, with its lighter wing loading, possesses the advantages of a smaller turning circle and general manoeuvra- bility, though in excess of 350 knots A.S.I, and above 25,000ft the Meteor equals the Vampire in rate of roll, and is superior to it in accelera- tion. The virtue of a low. wing-loading is, none the less, apparent, and the Vampire's potentialities as an ultra- high-altitude fighter were firmly established in March last year by Mr. John Cunningham's world-record climb to 59,492ft in a Ghost-Vampire, the span of which had been extended by 8ft. Interception at 40,000ft and above is by no means a simple sequence of climb; turn, close and fire. The utmost physical fitness and powers of concentration are demanded of the pilot if he is to exploit to the full the qualities of his machine. He is beset by incidental difficulties—that, for instance, of sighting his quarry and determining its course. Cloud is seldom en- countered above 35,000ft, so visibility is generally fair, and, if the fighter pilot knows more or less where to look for his- target, and assuming that his field of view (as from the Meteor, Vampire, Hawker P. 1040 and other British fighters) is good, his eye may pick it up ten miles or so away. It has been founds however that at 35,000-40,oooft, at ranges above five miles, the human eye is incapable of judging distance and relative heading with any degree of- accuracy. At great heights the glare of the sun is very trying, but while good tinted glasses are valuable in minimizing glare, they may have the disadvantage of restricting the pilot's vision. Should radii of turn and operational speeds increase, the A.I. radar, with its attendant penalties in weight and complication, may prove as indispensable by day as by night. The " closingrin " phase of the attack is obviously critical. Sound instruction in aircraft recognition will continue to be imperative, and to remove the possibility of a fighter, Hying on instruments, pursuing and attacking a friend some means of air-to-air identification will be required. At the operating levels of Superfortress-type bombers Although developed for research, the delta-wing Convair 7002 is an indication of the probable appearance of future high-speed military aircraft. Designed to attain high Mach numbers, the Chance-Vought: Cutlass naval-fighter is fitted with after-burners in the tail-pipes of its two axial-flow turbojets. (30,000.-35,000ft) greater latitude is allowed in selecting the method of attack. These heavily armed piston-engined machines will frequently operate in groups, at relatively low speed, and the fighters will seek to disrupt their formation, thereby eliminating the possibility of mutual defensive fire and allowing, stern or quarter attacks to be made in greater safety. Though many and varied methods of attack have been tried against medium-altitude bombers since jet fighters came into service, no more than two or three are likely to prove -effective with present gunsights and without "g" suits. The need for "g" suits, be it said, has not yet become apparent in this country, though evidently they will be necessary if future types of fighter are to be flown in combat to the limit of their capa- bilities. ...... . , . . . . j&rmament* The most proficient warning and reporting system and the fastest climbing and most tractable intercepters are, obviously,, of little value if, having brought their armament to bear, they are incapable of making a quick kill. Now that a few seconds may literally mean the difference between the com- plete destruction of a city and its survival, the effectiveness of armament has become a more vital consideration than ever before. For the present, British fighters are all similarly armed with 20mm Hispano guns. The same fire power is available on certain types of American fighter, though, there is an under- standable reluctance on the part of the Americans to depart from the multiple 0.5m guns which gave such excellent service in the last war. The U.S. Navy has lately introduced a o.6in weapon, and the Soviet Air Force retains the 12.7mm (Jin) gun as an auxiliary to ordnance of 20 and 23mm calibre; but in the R.A.F. the 20mm Hispano is unlikely to be challenged by guns of smaller bore. Rather, in the light of German experience, heavier guns (e.g., of 30mm) may be adopted. High muzzle-velocity and den- sity of fire are vitally important, because the rela- tively large turning-radius of the fighter at ex- treme heights, and the difficulty experienced by its pilot in sighting a lone bomber, may so elongate a conventional quarter attack that the fighter may need to open fire from 1,000 yards or more. The low air-resistance at great height, by allowing a flatter trajectory, effectively increases potential" accuracy of fire. For the dispersal of formations, and for attacks on single super-heavy bombers, batteries of rocket projectiles or even small air-launched guided mis- siles (e.g., the German X4) may grove effective. The most careful fairing or, preferably, internal stowage, will be demanded to avoid reduction of the fighter'^ critical Mach number. Proximity- fused large-calibre shells or rocket' projectiles are further possibilities, the R.P.. of course, being greatly superior in destructive power lor a given weight though less accurate and Having a longer time'of flight. The design of gun sights, in which Britain is unexcelled, must keep pace with weapon develop- ment, and radar must play an increasing part in sighting. Aerodynamic considerations will con- tinue to prejudice the pilot's field of vision. A B 9
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