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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 1058.PDF
JUNE O.TH, 194c F LIGHT Credit for the superb station-keeping of the thrze aerobatic Vampires, despite bumpy conditions, is due to the skill of No. 247 Squadron pilots. A fourth "individualist" aircraft also demonstrate! the Vampire's powers. (Right) The air attaches of several ccuntries attended the Old Sartim demonstration, and appeared to be greatly impressed. tered airirames, recognizable as a Dakota and two Mosquitoes, received attention from their nose-mounted .50 machine guns. Simultaneously with the crackle of the lighter American weapons one ob- served that a small panel opened in the nose of each F-80 : through this retractable chute are jettisoned spent cartridge cases and belt-links. The Shooting Stars appeared to maintain their fire close to the target, and make a steeper and faster exit, despite the Meteor's superior rate of climb. Representing the Central Gunnery School, four rocket-firing Spitfire 16s next began a series of attacks on a group of tanks, but a number of unspectacular puffs of dust denoted that some of the projectiles (each aircraft carried four) had failed to explode. One effect of watching air armament activity from a safe distance is of confusion caused by the lag between sight and sound—at times it is almost impossible to link each explo- sion with a corresponding flash. This effect is particularly marked in rocket-projectile assault, when the roar of engines, the rush of rockers in flight and the crash of strikes on the target are combined in a lethal-sounding symphony, doubtless with petrifying results at the receiving end. There was no confusion, however, in a dashing onslaught by four Sea Furies from the School of Naval/Air Warfare. Thin white smoke-trails from sixteen 60 lb rockets streaked a temporary patch of blue sky as the Naval fighters struck with a single salvo. Before the black smoke of the bursts had drifted away, a further 16 missiles were despatched by a single Firefly, also from S.N.A.W. Diving from some 6,000ft, four more Spitfire 16s from the Central Gunnery School each unloosed a brace of 250- ib bombs at an angle of 40-50 deg. This method, although not as accurate as the rocket attack, offers considerably greater possibilities of damage by blast, and was used with success against specialized targets, such as V.2 sites, towards the end of the war. ^Paving the way for eight Lincolns, which were to demon strate long-range tactical support, three Mosquito 16s of Bomber Command speedily surveyed the target. Two aircraft deposited, respectively, a red and a green target- •ndicator, while the third, after assessing the accuracy oi their placing, ordered the approaching Lincolns to "bomb on the green", remaining in the area to fulfil the obliga- tions of a masterbomber. Seven of" the heavies, which made a stateW run-up in well-spaced line-astern formation, n 1 photOQrapha. dropped their 500-pounders near the go^j^ seeming to overshoot slightly, but the eighthapparently decided not to lay its egg. Low cloud prevented a direct comparison between R.A.F. and U.S.A.F. methods in this application, but the "lead ship" of six B-29 Super- fortresses of the U.S. Third Air Division, which followed the Lincolns, appeared to select the right moment for the formation to release its 100-lb bombs. Blind bombing, under the guidance of a mobile radar- control post, was convincingly demonstrated by four Mos- quito 35s from B.A.F.O. Visible only momentarily as they flew in at 12,000ft and 190 kt, the light bombers placed a cluster of 25-lb smoke-bombs within-100 yd of their unseen target. Such commendably close control can be exercised within a range of 25-35 miles; more warlike missiles of better aerodynamic form than the practise bombs, would have fallen nearer. Any apprehension among the audience was allayed by the commentator's assurance that the navi- gators were identifying, through gaps in the cloud, certain check points on the rnn-up. Although bomb and rocket attachments are carried by R.A.F. and U.S.A.F. jet fighters—the Vampire 5 is to be- come the R.A.F.'s standard fighter-bomber—the other- wise comprehensive demonstration failed to show the full tactical flexibility of the more modern fighter. This lapse was indirectly covered, however, by flawless low-level handling of four Vampire 3s by pilots of No. 247 Squadron. Two spirited individual exhibitions, by a Meteor and a Shooting Star, were a fitting conclusion to a high speed programme. On the following day, at Netheravon, trans- port support was displayed by the R.A.F.'s latest equip- ment and methods. The Hastings, Valetta and Devon took part and there were demonstrations of glider-snatching and towing, parachuting and supply-dropping.
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