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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 1618.PDF
FLIGHT, 31 August 1950 STRENGTH IN UNITY . . carried out according to programme from 2ioohr yesterday tilloo3ohr to-day. The raiding of Whiteland's capitals was on a lighter scale than in the first two" phases and the weathercontinued to favour the Defence. One group of raiders, aiming at Paris, was completely destroyed (good for the Mosquitoes!)and interception successes over Belgium and the Netherlands were reported from these Sectors. Before returning to Northolt this evening Sir James Robbreceived us for a final talk. He said he had just returned from a visit to all Bases which had taken part in this exercise andwould like to pay tribute to the spirit of enthusiasm and enterprise which he found on all sides. "In France itself,"he went on, "great progress has been made in the ground organization and this has been reflected in the efficienthandling of the French squadrons. In Belgium as well, similar progress is manifested, whilst in Holland a very effec-tive organization has been well rewarded by the operational efficiency of the Dutch squadrons. All this progress can be attributed to the inspiration and efforts of the local Air Commanders and the keen spirit, of the forces under their command." Sir James did not pretend that all had yet been done to complete the air-defence system—far from it, because a really effective system must achieve a very high standard not only as regards the training of personnel, but also in the, ground organization, and this depended very largely on first--"? class communications. Much could be done by adaptation, but there were certain basic channels which must be provided,^ specially for the purpose. This cost money, and money must' be found very soon. "We have quality," the C.-in-C. concluded, "and what we need now is quantity, which can be built up without difficulty, around this nucleus. The vital importance of a first-class air- defence system is clear to us all and the sooner we havo it the better. Its early achievement is a matter for the countries.- concerned and their willingness to contribute in full measure to their mutual safety." May his words be heeded. * IN PRODUCTION: THE METEOR N.F.ll Now in production at the Armstrong Whitworth Baginton factor/, near Coventry, th*-Meteor N.F.P is to become standard equipment in R.A.F. night-fighter units. A recent announcement, moreover, states that it is " destined to become the backbone of Western European night defences." It has a nose section of di-electric material, for the radar scanner; four electrically-fired 20-mm. Hispano guns in the wings; under-wing drop tanks in addition to the ventral fuselage tank; and large internal capacity. A short landing run is claimed. Data : span, 43ft ; length, 48ft 6in ; height (to top of fin), 13 ft 11 in. This type will fly at the S.B.A.C. Display. CHIEF EXECUTIVE GUIDED WEAPONS PRACTICALLY all work concerned with guided weaponshas been kept a close secret in this country, and fears have been expressed that it may have been a case of hiding how little was being done rather than of concealing any important developments. None too soon, therefore, comes the news that a capable and energetic man, Air Chief Marshal Sir W. Alec Coryton, has been appointed to the newly created Ministry of Supply post o£ Chief Executive, Guided Weapons. Sir Alec has been Controller of Supplies (Air) during a difficult though intensely interesting period, and under his guidance the British industry has gained its pre-eminent position in the development and production of gas turbines and the aircraft, military and civil, which they power. He takes over his new position on returning from leave on September 4th. He will have a new organization to build up around the present small Guided Weapons Directorate. Mr. G. W. H. Gardner is Director of Guided Weapons, Research and Development. Sir Alec is now charged with '' accelerating and co-ordinating all work on the research, development and production of guided weapons." His headquarters will remain at the Ministry of Supply, and his work for all three Services will take him to the GovAament research centres, especially Farnborough, and to several firms in the aircraft industry which he knows so well. He will relinquish his position on the Air Council on taking up his new appointment. Replacing him as Controller of Supplies (Air) will be A.V-M J..N. Boothman, C.B., D.F.C., A.F.C., who will be promoted to the acting lank of Air Marshal and will also become an additional member of the Air Council. Until recently Air Officer Commanding Air Headquarters, Iraq, he was formerly Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Technical Requirements. In 1931, as a flight lieutenant, he won the Schneider Trophy out- right for Great Britain. AIRCRAFT AT THE S.B.A.C. DISPLAY NOW that the list of aircraft to be demonstrated in the airor displayed on the ground at Farnborough next week has been compiled by the S.B.A.C., the truth of the prediction made in the leading article of Flight dated June 29th is strongly borne out. Some 38 machines are to be put through their paces, and at least 18 of them are new this year. Exceptional aircrait, handled by test pilots who rank among the world's best, promise a treat for all who gather to see the Display. The list of aircraft, subject to alteration, but in their pro- posed order of presentation, is as follows: Vickers Tay* Viscount; Avro Shackleton; Proteus-Lincoln; Vickers Varsity; Short S.B.3; Airspeed Ambassador; Percival Survey Prince; Short Sealand ; Flight Refuelling demonstration employing a Lincoln and Meteor; Avon-Meteor, Hawker Sea Hawk anil P.1040; Westland Wyvern T.2; D.H. Venom new variafit; Blackburn Y.A.5 ; Boulton Paul Balliol T.2 ; Avro Athena T.i; D.H. Heron, Blackburn and General Aircraft Universal Freighter and Y.B.i; A.W. Apollo; Vickers Viscount 700; Fairey 17; Handley Page Hermes V; Avro Ashton; English Electric Canberra B.2; D.H. Comet; Gloster Meteor N.F.n; D.H. Venom; Gloster Meteor F.8; Hawker P.IO8I; Super marine Type 535; A.W. Sapphire-Meteor; Handley Page H.P.R.2; Auster Aiglet; Percival P.56; Prestwick Pioneer 2; D.H. Chipmunk; Bristol 171 Mk 3; Wcstland-Sikorsky S-51; Bristol Brabazon. Aircraft in the static park will be: Auster Autocar and J.5, equipped for crop-spraying; Bristol Freighter 31, equipped for fertilizing; Freighter 31, fitted out as military transport; D.H. Dove; another Bristol 171 Mk 3; D.H. Vampire F.B.5; Fairey Firefly T.T. Mk 1 and Firefly 6; Gloster P.V. Meteor ground- attack aircraft; Hawker Sea Fury n; another H.P.R.2; H.P. Marathon I; Percival Prince; Avro 707B; Vickers Valetta classroom; and Supermarine Seagull and Attacker.
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