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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 2403.PDF
Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant PREPOSSESSING in appearance and—it is almost superfluous to remark, for the type is "super-priority"—of altogether outstanding performance, the Valiant B.i bomber, with four Rolls-Royce Avon turbo-jets, made a memorable first appearance at Farn- borough last year. The particular machine displayed was the first proto type, and though this has since been destroyed in an accident, flight trials with its successor have been under way for several months. No illustra tions of this second machine have been released for publication, and the first opportunity of noting any modifications which may have been incorporated may be afforded at this year's Display. It is improbable that any changes in the basic design (which features a large-area wing of very deep root chord, with paired "buried" engines fed from a common intake) will be observed. The bomb bay, which will take an atomic weapon, extends for a greater distance than the wing-root chord, and beneath the fuselage is a "blister" fairing which may be a visual bomb- aiming position. Wickers*Armstrongs Valletta PROBABLY best known in its C.i version as a military troop and freight transport (and, as such, standard equipment in R.A.F. Transport Command), the Valetta is also used by the R.A.F. as a V.I.P. transport, under the designation Valetta C.2, and as a naviga tional flying classroom (Valetta T.3). Though closely resembling the civil Viking in external appearance, the Valetta does, in fact, embody several modifications, principal amongst which are the installation of Hercules 230 engines, the introduction of a freight loading door, measur ing 8ft 6in by 5ft 8in, in the port side of the fuselage, the heavy reinforcing of the floor, the enlarged cockpit, and the provision for a navigator in addition to two pilots and radio operator. Principal operational roles are those of troop transport, paratroop-dropping, supply-dropping, glider- towing, freight and vehicle-carrying, and the evacuation of casualties. The C.2 transports its 15 passengers in relative luxury and has additional tankage. Identified by the six astrodomes mounted along the top of the fuselage, the T.3 version has a specially equipped interior for instruc tional work.
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