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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0283.PDF
FLIGHT, i February 1952 121 PLACED ON RECORD A Review of F.A.I.-approved Flying Achievements During 1951 By H. J. COOPER EXCEPT for the establishment of the four Rate-of-Climb Records by the Sapphire-Meteor on August 31st, 1951 was not a year of particularly outstanding achievement in the world of aviation records. The rate-of-climb categories were introduced as a result of the F.A.I. Annual Conference at Stockholm in 1950, and the Gloster company's attempts were the first to be made. That substantial figures were attained is a cause for some satisfaction, though it seems unlikely that they will be allowed to stand for very long. R. B. Prickett's climb to 12,000 m (39,370ft) was attained in 3 min 09.5 sec, which is about equal to the rate of climb ot the rocket-propelled Messerschmitt Me 163, details of which caused a sensation when released at the end of the war. In general, little advantage has been taken of the various record categories to set up new performances. The attitude of the aircraft industry to record-breaking is one which cannot on the whole be described as keen, while security restrictions do not encourage manufacturers or the Ministries to make an official attempt on the World Speed Record. That record was in fact exceeded—unofficially—when Neville Duke flew the Hawker P. 1067 at speeds approaching 700 m.p.h. at Farnborough in September. In all, 30 records stand to the credit of Great Britain, 21 of which are Point-to-point Records. We hold none of the World Records; three World Class Records for jet-propelled One of the most long-standing records is that for absolute height, made by the balloon Explorer II in 1935. The two U.S. Army Air Corps officers —Capt. Stevens (left) and Capt. Anderson—who manned the balloon are seen here inside the pressurized gondola. The Sapphire-Meteor, piloted by R. 8. Prickett, at the start of the climb which gained four time-to-height records last August. aircraft; four for light aircraft; and one seaplane and one amphibian record. This country has aeroplanes in various categories which could substantially improve on existing records, but not all their owners appreciate the prestige and publicity value of such achievements. One important record has been lost by this country. John Derry's 100 km Closed-circuit Record of April, 1948, has now been beaten by America. Colonel Fred Ascani, flying a North American F-86E, succeeded in reaching 1,023.038 km/hr (637 m.p.h.) during the U.S. National Air Races at Detroit on August 17th. This record also qualifies as a World Record for Speed over a Closed Circuit, the length of which is not necessarily restricted to 100 km. The Federation Aeronautique Internationale has agreed to recognize the latter as a World Record, together with that for Distance over a Closed Circuit, which hitherto has been only a World Class Record. This means that the American record of Lt.Col. Lassiter and Capt. W. J. Valentine, of 14,249.656 km (8,850 miles), set up in a Boeing B-29 Superfortress on August ist-3rd, 1947, now becomes a World Record. The five World Records are now:— (1) Distance in a Straight Line without Landing. (2) Distance in Closed Circuit. (3) Height. (4) Speed over a Straight Course. (5) Speed over a Closed Circuit. All are held by America. It is interesting to note that one of the oldest records in the current list is the World Height Record of 22,066 m (72,395ft) set up by Capt. Orvil Anderson and Capt. Albert Stevens in a balloon on November nth, 1935. The Aeroplane Height Record of 18,119 m (59,492ft), set up by John Cunningham in a Vampire in March, 1948, is still 3,947 m (12,903ft), less than the absolute height record. In view of the importance of the powered aircraft and the obsolescence of the man-carrying balloon, it would appear that the Aeroplane Height Record should rank as a World Record. Incidentally, achievements by projectiles which do not carry a pilot do not qualify for confirmation as official records. In 1951, a Speed Record at Great Height was established for the first time. Miss Jacqueline Cochran (U.S.A.), who figures so frequently in the record list, flew a Merlin-powered North American F-51 Mustang at 747-339 km/hr (465 m.p.h.) on April 9th, but this record loses some of its interest by the fact that the actual height at which the flight was made is, for some reason—hardly one of security—omitted from the F.A.I. Record List. Since 1950 it has been possible to establish the World Speed Record at an unlimited height, thereby offering full scope to jet-propelled aircraft which would not develop the necessary power lower down. To date no record has been confirmed to supersede the 3^-year-old record (over the 3 km straight course) of Maj. R. L. Johnson, who flew an F-86 Sabre at 1,079.841 km/hr (671 m.p.h.) on Septem ber 15th, 1948. Doubtless the question of security underhes the fact that no new attempt has been made. Many people
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