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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1024.PDF
SOUNDING AN OCTAVE: Tests of the eight Pratt and Whitney J-S7 turbojets of the Convair YB-60—the jet-propelled development of the B-36— are imminent. In this, the only photograph so far released, the machine bears a striking resemblance to its rival, the Boeing XB-52. HERE AND THERE Steam Catapult for U.S. Carrier? THE U.S. Navy Department stated last week that it was considering redesigning parts of the 60,000-ton carrier Forrestal, now building in Virginia, in order to incor porate the British steam-driven catapult. The maintenance carrier H.M.S. Perseus has been demonstrating the device to the U.S. Navy, who are reported to be much impressed by its performance. Hawkers' Blackpool Plans THAT full-scale production of Hawker jet fighters at Squires Gate, Blackpool, would be reached in 1954 was stated at a recent meeting at which Ministry of Supply and Air Ministry officials discussed with local authorities the construction of the new 2,000-yd main runway at the airfield. Work on the runway, estimated to cost £1,000,000, will begin this summer. The Squires Gate works, one of the largest aircraft factories in Europe, built 3,406 Wellingtons during the war. Baking-Powder Fire Truck A DRY chemical largely consisting of ordinary baking soda is the extinguishing medium carried in new R.C.A.F. fire-fighting trucks. Two tons of the powder is stored in each vehicle for discharge— presumably by air or CO2 pressure— through monitors and/or hoses, and the large proportion of sodium bicarbonate is said to evolve so much C02 when heated that severe crash-fires can be extinguished more quickly than by any medium hitherto employed. It is also claimed that the equipment operates satisfactorily at tem peratures down to —65 deg F. The chemi cal is a U.S. development. Japanese Aviation Concession THE right to grant flying permits in Japan has been handed over to the Japanese Government as a result of a G.H.Q. Note dated March 10th. The Japanese Civil Aeronautics Agency is now working out arrangements in compliance with the Note, which, of course, refers to civil and com mercial flying only. A request for the early release of Haneda Airport, Tokio, has also been made by the Minister of Transport, Giichi Murakami. Staff Work THE Royal Aero Club's insignia, a caduceus (Mercury's "staff and serpents") resembles that of certain medical organiza tions, and it has been suggested by Mr. C. H. Gibbs-Smith that, as the Club has just celebrated its fiftieth birthday, now is a suitable time to alter it. Though no definite decision has been taken, a compe tition, for a £5 prize, is to be arranged between art schools for a new design. "Bournemouth" to Fly Again THE Airship Club's little dirigible Bourne mouth, which has been undergoing various modifications since it made a few not-com-pletely-successful flights last summer, is in the news again. Arrangements are being made for it to visit ElmdonTAirport, Bir mingham, on August 30th, when the Mid land Aero Club will hold the second of its air displays this year. The club's first dis play will be at Elmdon on Whit-Monday; the second is being specially arranged for the visit of the airship. DOUBLY INTER ESTED, as a former Governor-General of Canada and as our present Minister of Defence, was Earl Alexander, when he greeted A. V-M. C. R. Dunlap, the com mandant of the Cana dian National Defence College. The Air Vice-Marshal has been visiting this country with some of his staff and students. "That's funny—I'm on a rush job, too," R.A.F. at Royal Tournament R.A.F. contributions to this year's Royal Tournament at Earls Court (June 4th- 21st), are three in number: Illuminated- club swinging (R.A.F. Station Bridgnorth); drill display with band (Catterick); and a police-dog display (Provost Branch, Neth- eravon). Airmen (from Cosford) will also take part in the combined P.T. display. Fact, Fiction or ... ? AFTER several years of official scepticism about "flying-saucer" reports, the U.S.A.F. has gone so far as to admit that, while most reports investigated have shown the objects to be either weather balloons or natural phenomena, "there remain a number of reported sightings that cannot be thus explained, and as long as this is true the Air Force will continue to study the prob lem." The statement, which goes on to invite the public to continue to submit reports (and particularly photographs), is believed to have been prompted by an article in the magazine Life, in which the whole subject is critically examined. Life's survey ends with these conclusions: "(1) Discs, cylinders, and similar objects of geometrical form, luminous quality, and
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