FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1950
1950 - 1882.PDF
and AIRCRAFT ENGINEER First Aeronautical Weekly in the World Founded 1909 No. 2181. Vol. LVIII. THURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER, 1950 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR G. GEOFFREY SMITH, M.B.E. EDITOR MAURICE A. SMITH, D.F.C. ASSISTANT EDITOR H. F. KING, M.B.E. TECHNICAL EDITOR C. B. BAILEY-WATSON, B.A. ART EDITOR JOHN YOXALL Editorial, Advertising and Publishing Offices : DORSET HOUSE, STAMFCfRD STREET, LONDON, S.E.I. Telegrams : Flightpres, Sedist, London. Telephone : Waterloo 3333 (60 lines). Branch Offices : COVENTRY 8-10, Corporation Street. Telegrams : Autocar, Coventry. Telephone • Coventry 5210. BIRMINGHAM, 2. King Edward House, New Street. - Telegrams : Autoprcss, Birmingham. Telephone : Midland 7191 (7 lines). MANCHESTER, 3. 260, Deansgate. Telegrams : Iliffe, Manchester. Telephone : Blackfriars +412 (3 lines). Deansgate 3S9S (2 lines). GLASGOW, C.2. 26b, Renfield Street. Telegrams : Iliffe, Glasgow. Telephone : Central 4857. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Home and Overseas : Twelve months £3 Is. Od. Six months, £1 10s. 6d. U.S.A. and Canada, $10.00. BY AIR : To any country in Europe (except Poland). Twelve months, £5 Is. Od. Six months, £2 10s. Ad. Canada and U.S.A. Six months, $16. In this issue: .. Miniature 'Farnborough' 396 City of Melbourne Sqn. 401 Sunderlands in Korea - 407 For Destruction and Defence 409 The Quest for Range - 410 The Air of a Sailor - 415 Operational Again SINCE Flight started publication in January, 1909, only once have its readers beendeprived of their weekly aviation news—this during the fuel crisis, when printingvirtually ceased for a week. To those older members of our staff in particular, who defied Hitler and never failed to produce an issue during the war years, the recent interruption caused by the printing dispute was a bitter blow. To readers who wrote to sympathize we say " thank you for your understanding," and to all our readers and advertisers we apologize for the unavoidable loss of four issues. Now, as we get into our stride again, we may pause to review briefly—here and on p. 400—important events of the last month. Particularly gratifying have been the strengthened ties with the American industry resulting from new licensing agreements. American authorities have now agreed to recognize the British C. of A., and this should clear the ground for renewed sales eJorts by our aircraft manufacturers, especially in the turbine-powered and feeder-liner classes. Far-reaching importance also attaches to the Wright Corporation's decision to take licences for British gas turbines. From the I.A.T.A. annual report it is learned that the almost astronomical figure of 1,400 million aircraft kilometres were flown and over 27 million passengers were carried last year, in addition to a 20 per cent increase in weight of air cargo lifted Atlantic services were chiefly responsible for B.O.A.C.'s first profitable month. All branches of the R.A.F. have been most active; at last there is a satisfactory inflow at the recruiting offices The flying commands are now studying their experiences during Ex;:ercise Emperor in which all branches of the air defence system were thoroughly tested as well as the squadrons -of Bomber Command—some flying Washingtons for the first time. Obviously there is still a long way to go before the Royal Air Force can be described as " ready for anything," but the interception successes at high altitudes by the jet fighters were encouraging. From the manufacturers' viewpoint the small private display described overleaf was a highlight, and it followed news of the first flight of Boulton Paul's Type III delta research aircraft, the second design of such configuration now flying in this country It is to be hoped that the long period of research will soon bring forth more fruits in the form of jet bombers at least as far in advance of types now in service as is the Comet in the commercial field. Enter the Red Jets THE not-unexpected clash between Communist jet aircraft and American fightersnas at last occurred in Korea. First reports are tantalizingly brief, but it seemsthat six jets (one pilot reported them to have swept-back wings) attacked a Mustang formation. A rough-and-tumble ensued, but no casualties were sustained. One account has it that American jet fighters joined the fray. If confirmed, this means that reaction-propelled fighters have been engaged for the first time in the sort of action still known as a dog-fight, though a 1917-Camel pilot might view it with the feelings of a chasseur watching a tank battle. In any case, the encounter was significant, for no Communist jets had hitherto been met and their introduction further darkens a situation officially described as "very serious." Though Mustangs were pitted against jets in the closing stages of the last war, and, notwithstanding a grave handicap in speed, acquitted themselves well, it may be supposed that their newer, Russian-built adversaries had a greater advantage in performance than their German opponents. It is possible, in fact, that the Soviet machines in Korea rival the North American F-86 Sabre, which, though available in considerable quantities, is not yet operational in that theatre. .The Shooting Stars which at present comprise U.S. jet strength in Korea have proved themselves formidable ground-attack weapons and, together with the Mustangs, are well able to deal with piston-engined Russian types; but if matched against the fastest Soviet machines, they might find themselves little better placed than were the Mustangs on their first historic encounter with Communist jets.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
