FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1951
1951 - 1728.PDF
FLIGHT, 7 September 1951 283 BRITISH AIRCRAFT, Armstrong Whitworth (Gloster) Meteor N.F.I I. ^NOMALOUS as it might seem, it would be something of a disappointment if this annual survey of British aircraft were to prove a complete guide to types in the S.B.A.C. Display, for at the moment of writing some notable last-minute additions to the declared list of participants appear probable, and a spice of expectancy is thereby added to the proceedings. But, whatever dark horses may arrive at the last moment, the showing in the follow- ing pages is a brave one, surpassing that of a year ago in including two four-jet bombers (Vickers Valiant and Short S.A./4), and two new single-seat inter- cepter fighters (Hawker P. 1067 and Vickers-Supermarine Swift). Each of these fighters has been designed to exploit to the utmost advantage the latest types of axial-flow turbojet. Three distinct delta-wing types (Avro 707, Boulton Paul P.i 11, and Fairey F.D.i), are evidence of Britain's firm resolve to enhance her position in respect of aerodynamic design. The photographs illustrating this review have been carefulhfselected to display the salient features of each type. Tabulated data will be found on pages 338 and 339. MILITARY Avro Shackleton NOW firmly established in service withR.A.F. Coastal Command, this large maritime-reconnaissance landplane (four Rolls-Royce Griffon engines) was developed to embody many of the design features of its illustrious forebears, the Lancaster and Lincoln bombers, but to provide special facilities for over-water flights of very long duration. Armament of the current M.R.r version is two 20 mm guns in a Bristol dorsal turret, but provision was made in the basic design for the installation of two additional guns of the same calibre in forward barbettes. As the photograph below will prove, the bomb bay is of truly vast capacity. Special anti-submarine weapons, or an airborne lifeboat, are readily accommodated. A crew of ten is normal, and the galley is proving an especially popular feature on long patrols. Perform- ance details are withheld, but it may be said that a high rate of climb is attainable in order that the aircraft may clear the target area quickly after a surface attack. In the event of one or two Griffons being put out of action the Shackleton can return to base on the remaining two. Addressing workers at the Avro factory in MaVch this year, the A.O.C.-in-C, Coastal Command, said : "The Shackleton is an aeroplane we need. It can carry everything we want. Give us more Shackletons." Armstrong Whitworth (Gloster) Meteor N.F.11 ADOPTED as the standard night fighter of the R.A.F., in succession to the D.H. Mosquito, the Meteor N.F.n (two Rolls- Royce Derwent turbojets) is a development of the Mk 7 trainer and Mk 8 fighter, and embodies a wing of 43ft span. Due to the installation of a radar scanner, the fuselage is even longer than that of the Mk 7 trainer. Four electrically fired 20 mm British Hispano guns are located outboard of the turbojet nacelles, and, in addition to extensive fuselage tankage, there are ven- tral and underwing tanks disposed as the photograph sho\^. The massive cockpit enclosure can be jettisoned by either of the crew of two, each of whom has a Martin-Baker ejector seat. It has been stated that the N.F.11 is destined to be- come "the backbone of Western European night defences." Auster Model S air observation post. Shackleton M.RA Auster Model S NO FIRM in the British aircraft industry can rival the experience of Auster Aircraft, Ltd., in the design of light aircraft for "air- observation-post" duties. Latest of the A.O.P. series, the Model S originated as a private venture and is the company's own interpretation of the British Army's requirements as laid down in the appro- priate specification. The span (32ft) is 4ft less than that of the familiar A.O.P.6, and the engine—a Cirrus Bombardier 702 —gives appreciably more power than the Gipsy Major stardardized in that model. Performance and handling tests are reported amply to justify the estimates put forward by the makers.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
