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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0871.PDF
4 April 1952 385 The Venom was the first British fighter to appear with auxiliary fuel tanks mounted at the wing-tips, in conformity with American practice on fighters with straight, or slightly swept, wings. Though these tanks can be jettisoned if need be, they are stressed for all combat manoeuvres. Fuel supply can be further augmented by under-wing tanks Though a swept-wing version of the Gloster Meteor (from which a Mach number approaching 0.9 seemed feasible) was at one time projected, the latest fighter development of the type to materialize— the F. Mk 8—has the short span and straight wing of its predecessor, the F.4, and differs from that variant principally in having increased tankage, and revised nose, tail and cockpit enclosure. Power units are Rolls-Royce Derwent 8s, each of 3,500 lb thrust, and the gross weight figures, with and without belly tank, are *5>675 lb and 17,250 lb respectively. The favourable thrust/weight ratio is, of course, beneficial to climb, the times for the clean condition being 1.5 min to 10,000ft; 3.6 min to 20,000ft; 6.5 min to 30,000ft; and 11.6 min to 40,000ft. With belly tank the corresponding figures are 2, 4.4, 8 and 16.1 min. Maximum level speeds at the same heights are 584 m.p.h., 575 m.p.h., 555 m.p.h., and 533 m.p.h., and the maximum permissible Mach number is 0.82. Service ceiling is 44,000ft. Outclassed though it undoubtedly is in speed performance by the Mig-15, the Meteor 8 might compete with the Russian machine on the climb at low and medium heights (assuming no power boost in either case); and two Migs have, in fact, been claimed by R.A.A.F. Meteor pilots in Korea, though the circumstances of the victories are not known. Apart from a dwindling number of Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars, which hardly warrant consideration here, the standard shore-based single-seat jet fighters of the U.S.A.F. are the Republic F-84E Thunderjet and the D and E variants of the North American F-86 Sabre. In performance, the 18,000 lb Thunderjet—built and delivered in vast quantities—appears superior to the Mig-15 in range alone. Its climb is mediocre, its maximum speed little higher than the Meteor's, and though it has unusually good qualities as a ground-attack aircraft, as will later be seen, it is here considered as a fighter and as such runs a poor second to its compatriot the Sabre. The "G" variant, following the "E" in production, has provision for flight refuelling and an automatic pilot. As now in service in many hundreds, the Sabre probably weighs some 13,700 lb and scores over the Thunderjet mainly by virtue of its 35 deg swept wing. Very high subsonic speeds (Mach numbers consider ably over 0.9) are attained in level flight, even with external tanks, and the machine has been repeatedly dived to true Mach numbers around 1.1. Climb is probably comparable with the Meteor's, but in manoeuvring ability, particularly above 35,000ft, this excellent American fighter should prove inferior to the slower, more lightly loaded Venom, and it is doubtful if current Sabres could get to grips with 50,000ft Canberra-type bombers. Pilots of the F-86 and other high-speed fighters habitually wear g-suits and the Americans also have their characteristic crash-helmet and face visor. The g-suit is an added comfort and allows full advan tage to be taken of the Sabre's powers of manoeuvre at low and medium levels. All controls are said to be light and the "flying tail" of the F-86E is particularly helpful to the pilot in high-speed flight.
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