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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1947.PDF
lijuly 1952 63 NATO in BEING Drama and Spectacle at the Brussels Display : Sabre and Hunter go Supersonic "FLIGHT " PHOTOGRAPHS mm > • M ' i" A V.. k -^ ' , ,"£^ * ;? JBHEfe \: m - IMK**^BPBBM RMMK^ • - -i- v 1 TITLE notwithstanding, this is not to be a discourse on the benefits and significance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the part played therein by the R.A.F., for that topic has been masterfully handled by the C.A.S. in the preceding columns; it will, instead, attempt to describe the great NATO gathering in Brussels over the weekend. To attend this inaugural demonstration we came into Melsbroek by Sabena on the second day of the proceedings, and found that —as is too often the case on these Continental occasions—the way past various official obstacles was tortuous. Luckily we were hailed by Supermarine's Jack Rasmussen, who had learned the ropes and who took us along to Major Demoulin, D.F.C. To say that this officer once commanded No. 609 (Auxiliary) Squadron, is to say that our troubles were soon over. On the Sunday morning—the final day of the proceedings—we brought ourselves up to date with the NATO news, the best of which was that the R.A.F. athletes had been having a real field-day at the Heysel stadium. (Results appear on page 84). At a ceremony before the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Brussels, the A.O.C.-in-C. Bomber Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh P. Lloyd, who had flown from Benson in a Canberra on July nth, had represented the R.A.F. In drill and band displays, in the Grand Place and at the stadium, No. 57 Rifle Squadron, R.A.F. Regiment, had won spontaneous acclaim. Midday Sunday at Melsbroek saw the NATO flags streaming in a buffeting wind and the populace pressing in at all entrances. We took up our place alongside the royal tribune and towards 3 o'clock the bands and colour guards, in blue, white and khaki, came swinging out in grand style on to the runway before us. Behind, in the static park, NATO fighters, bombers, trainers and transports were being duly tapped and prodded by interested parties; indeed, one was mindful of certain parties who would have been particularly interested to be afforded a close-up inspec tion of a Canberra B.2 (placarded speed, 930 km/hr); a Meteor N.F.n (950 km/hr plus); and a pair of U.S.A.F. Sabres (1,070 km/hr). Also on parade wei^ a Lockheed T-33, a Fairchild Packet, and a Sikorsky S.51 of the U.S.A.F.; a French Dassault Ouragan —actually No. 10 of the series—with finned tip-tanks; a Merlin- engined Fiat G.59 fighter trainer (standing in for the G.80 jet); and various less exotic representatives of the Belgian Air Force. In ones and twos the assorted diplomats, dignitaries, attaches and Chiefs of Staffs—our own C.A.S. among them—took their places in the royal tribune. Martial strains mingled with the whirr of a hovering Sabena Bell, and the stage was set. With appropriate dignity the commentator announced the The Hunter shows its shapely form after making supersonic noises-off. Left, King Baudouin with Colonel de Greef and Lt. Gen. Leboutte (right). David Morgan made good use of the Swift's generous flap area. Salute: R.C.A.F. Sabres making their number at 450 knots.
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