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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 2030.PDF
796 FLIGHT SHORT-MAYO "COMPOSITE" RECALLED French Research. Aircraft Air-launched from. Languedoc PARALLEL French research projects, launched fromadapted S.E.161 Languedoc transport aircraft, theLeduc 0.10 (above) and the S.O. M.I (below) depicted in these frames from British Paramount News, evoke memories of the pre-war Short-Mayo "Composite." The Leduc machine has been built for the investigation of ramjet propulsion and the S.O. M.i is a glider model of the S.O.4000 twin-Nene bomber, a feature of which will be armamentrmounted' at the wing-tips. Outcome of pre-war proposals, the ramjet installed in the 0.10 develops some 3,500 lb thrust and is designed to achieve speeds approaching 600 m.p.h. The first launch from a Languedoc was made late in 1947, but on that occasion the power unit was inoperative. On the first powered flight a speed of some 450 m.p.h. was reported to have been attained, using only half thrust. t . Fully laden, the S.O. M.i weighs over 6,000 lb. The span is 34ft 6in and the wing area 172 sq ft. The S.O. M.i is a pure glider and was first launched in March, 1948. A powered version, designated S.O. M.2, was displayed at the last International Aeronautical Salon in Paris and is fitted with a single Rolls-Royce Derwent 5. For high-speed flying the transparent cockpit roof of this model is flush with the top fuselage line, but during a normal take-off "and landing a small windscreen can be raised, in conjunction with the pilot's seat. Three main wheels retract into the fuselage ; there is a conventional re- tractable nosewheel and auxiliary, jettisonable, wing-tip wheels. As on the " M.i," the ailerons are amazingly small, but are interconnected with spoilers to provide lateral con- trol. The SO. M.2 first flew on April 13th this year. Its fully laden weight is 8,460 lb, and the span 29ft gin.
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