FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1949
1949 - 2057.PDF
29 December 1949 CIVIL AIRCRAFT AS the year draws to a close, there is every reason tox * claim that Britain now possesses the finest civil trans- port prototypes in the world. For this we may thank theindustry's perseverance in the slow post-war process of evolving revolutionary new aircraft, and the wise supportof the Ministry of Supply. Particular foresight was shown by the Ministry in shaping the turbojet and turbopropdevelopment programme, around which is woven the whole pattern of success. Justifiable pride should not, however, breed complacency. As yet, we have seen but the dawn of the new transport era, and abundant problems lie ahead. The first flight of the majestic Bristol Brabazon and its subsequent en- couraging progress, for instance, were only the beginning of a long and involved series of flight trials, linked with development of the Proteus turboprops with which, it is confidently hoped, the aircraft will operate with profit. An even more exacting test-programme was embarked upon by de Havillands with their outstanding pure-jet Comet. This prototype, which first flew in August, has been watched with close interest the world over. Its pro- gress to date occasions optimism; speeds in excess of design estimates at high altitudes have been attained, and a record-breaking return flight to Tripoli successfully com- pleted. Production is progressing, and a second prototype will be ready next year; B.O.A.C.'s Comets are likely to begin service on the Empire routes. The Canadian Jetliner first flew shortly after its D.H. counterpart, and has already interested many short-range airline operators. Exceptional also are the British turboprop transports. Among them, the Vickers Viscount continued to demon- strate smooth and trouble-free flying throughout the year, while B.E.A. announced an order for the larger Viscount 700 production version (powered by 1,400 h.p. Darts). Comparable in conception and quiet, speedy operation is the Armstrong-Whitworth Apollo, powered by four axial- flow Mambas, which first flew in April. Its design was seen to incorporate fully the latest I.C.A.O. requirements, and there were soon reports of likely overseas orders. Theseus turboprops power the 40-passenger Hermes V, which made its initial flight a few weeks before the S.B.A.C. Show, and is a contender for intercontinental airline service. A Hercules-engined variant, the Mk IV, was already in production for the B.O.A.C. Empire routes. The Bristol 175, details of which were announced during the year, is intended as a Constellation replacement, and will take either Centaurus or Proteus power units. Handley Page (Reading), Ltd., began production of the Marathon I feederliner (four Gipsy Queens) for B.E.A. internal routes, and also flew the lively Mamba-powered Marathon II. (Continued after special " 1949 " drawing overleaf) Completing the quartet are the largest and smallest of the turbine airliners : Hermes V (top) and Marathon II. September : the impressive maiden flight of the Brabazon. D. H. Comet—the world's first Jet airliner first flew in August. Another 1949 model, the Avro Canada Jetliner. Britain's turboprop transports, together with the pure-jet Comet and the Canadian Jetliner, are unrivalled among the world's air- liners. The Viscount, shown above in prototype form, will be built for B.EJK.; and overseas interest in the Apollo (below) was manifest.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
