FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1204.PDF
522 FLIGHT IF SEVEN MAIDS WITH SEVEN MOPS . . . Unlike the walrus in "Alice in Wonderland," the pilot of this Hitler 360 helicopter was not dismayed by "such quantities of sand"—even though his task was to spray several miles of it in order to destroy the swarms of sand-hoppers which prove so irritating to holiday-makers. The scene is Worthing, Sussex, early in the morning; Pest Control, Ltd., had the contract. FROM ALL QUARTERS Sir Roy Dobson on Canada I AST week Sir Roy Dobson, who is chairman of Avro Canada •* as well as managing director of the English parent company, addressed the Empire Club of Canada on the potentialities of Dominion aviation. He said that he first appreciated this potential in 1943, when both he and Sir Frank Spriggs made a tour of Canada and found that aircraft production per capita was higher there than in any other democratic country. He was, however, shocked to learn that a large proportion of the graduates of Canada's universities went "south of the border" to find employment. Another interesting factor was the fact that Canada lay "exactly athwart" the shortest air routes between Russia and the U.S.A. In fact, economic, defensive and com mercial needs all backed the Hawker Siddeley decision to take over the Crown company of Victory Aircraft and also Turbo Research, Ltd., which today are Avro Canada's airframe and engine divisions. Sir Roy then outlined the work which Avro Canada had under taken [described on pages 538-539 of this issue] and spoke of the scale of financing which had been required. Sterling had been transferred in bulk to a dollar area and several million dollars were currently in process of transfer—such was the confidence shown. Many had expressed the opinion that Canada would always lag behind England and America in aeronautical research; that this was a fallacy was shown by the "veritable pipeline" connecting Avro Canada with its parent group, while Canada's own research teams and facilities were rapidly taking shape. Sir Roy predicted that, once Canada's needs had been met, both the CF-100 and the Orenda would be in demand by other air forces; already the Orenda was fitted to the Sabre and this powerful combination would undoubtedly see service in England and else where. As for the Group activities at home, Sir Roy announced that the Sea Hawk was now in Royal Naval service, while "several types" of rocket motor had been developed. Australian Viscounts? FIVE Vickers Viscounts are reported to have been ordered by the State-owned Trans-Australia Airlines. The report was unconfirmed by Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., at the time of going to press, but is believed to be accurate. The value of the contract would be in the region of £1 million. Other airlines to have ordered Viscounts are B.E.A. (26), Air France (12), and Aer Lingus (4). Sapphire Progress THE thrust of the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire turbojet has been steadily developed ever since the existence of the engine was first announced in August, 1950. At that time the Sapphire had already been developed sufficiently for a type-test to be under taken at 7,200 lb thrust. This rating was sufficient to interest the American Services and industry, and a licence agreement was signed between Armstrong Siddeleys and the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in January, 1951. In November, 1951, the Sapphire was type-tested at 7,500 lb thrust, and last week it was announced that a developed Sapphire had successfully undergone a 150-hour M.o.S. type-test at a rating of 8,300 lb. This figure puts the engine comfortably ahead —so far as type-tested thrust is concerned—of any other turbojet; the next most powerful being the Pratt and Whitney J-48 (Rolls- Royce Tay) at 7,200 lb (wet) and the Rolls-Royce Avon at 6,500 lb. The Avon is capable of development to far greater output. The new Sapphire, designated Mk 100 Series 3, is going into production at the parent company's factory at Coventry and at the Hucclecote plant of another Siddeley Group member, Brock-worth Engineering, Ltd. In the U.S.A. the Wright J-65 Sapphire is in production at Wood-Ridge, N.J., and will also be produced by the Buick division of General Motors. Port and starboard views of the Sapphire Mk 100 Series 3 (ASSa.6) turbo jet referred to in the item above. A—Igniter solenoid valve B—Test intake-flare C—Engine oil pumps D—Oil tank E—-Acceleration control F—Fuel distributors G—Main fuel filter H—Flow control I — Torch igniter J — Spray jets K—Starting bleed-valve L—Main burners M—Tachometer generator N—Fuel pump O—Accessory-drives bevel- gear box
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
