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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 3429.PDF
28 November 1952 633 BREVITIES THE total of international airline traffic transactions put through the I.A.T.A. Clearing House in London during September was $21,060,000 (over ^7.5m)—representing a slight increase on the previous monthly record, established in July. * * * Skyways, Ltd., announce their acquisition of the five Yorks formerly operated by Eagle Aviation, Ltd., bringing the former company's York fleet to 295 the expansion strengthens Skyways' claim to being the largest European independent operator. Eagle Aviation will continue to operate their twin-engined fleet of three Dakotas and three Vikings, and to develop their maintenance and repair service (Eagle recently purchased Aviation Servicing, Ltd., at Blackbushe); they will, it is stated, also retain their interest in the possibility of flying-boat operations. * * * The amount of freight (10,210 tons) carried by K.L.M. during the first nine months of this year was 10 per cent more than during the same period of 1951. All-freight services by K.L.M. Skymasters are operated between Amsterdam and Montreal (weekly), New York (three times weekly), Curacao, Johannesburg, Tehran and Bangkok (all fortnightly). * * * It was stated in the Libyan Parliament recently that Silver City Airways had been granted concessions to operate certain internal services in Libya; the company itself has declined to comment on the statement "for the present." The main traffic-centres in the Libyan kingdom are Tripoli and Benghazi, which lie 400 miles apart. * * * The first Lockheed Super Constellation powered by 3,250 h.p. Wright compound engines made a successful maiden flight, lasting just over two hours, on November 12th. The aircraft, designated R7V1, is a military transport version for the U.S. Navy capable of carrying 106 passengers; delivery of the civil Model 1049C is not due to begin until next year. K.L.M. occupy first place on the list of prospective customers. * * * Mr. A. J. Henderson, formerly of Airwork, Ltd., takes up a new appointment on December 15th as secretary to Skyways, Ltd., and Lancashire Aircraft Corporation, Ltd. He takes over these VISCOUNT 724s FOR CANADA (continued) ... Regarding Viscount orders, the total is now 78, three more (from an undisclosed operator) having been added last week. Of these, 63 can be named as follows:—B.E.A. 26, Air France 12, Aer Lingus 4, T.A.A. 6, T.C.A. 15. Mr. Edwards revealed that there were serious enquiries, in some instances amounting to preliminary negotiations, from operators on all six continents, counting South America. It is interesting to note that B.E.A.—to whom great credit is due for early recognition of the Viscount's virtues—ordered 701s when the all-up weight was quoted as only 50,000 lb and, incidentally, when no one else was very interested. Last week a C. of A. was granted for the first Discwerv-class machine at 56,000 lb, and during 19S3 the weight will be increased further to 58,500 lb. T.C.A.'s Viscounts will thus be delivered with a C. of A. for the new a.u.w. The whole of their extra 8,500 lb will not be given over to payload, however, because a few hundred pounds of extra weight will be entailed by the cold-weather modifications. Vickers have already worked out figures for a "long-range version" capable of taking full advantage of the ultimate all-up weight (58,500 lb). Carrying a payload of 8,700 lb (equivalent to 43* passengers and their baggage) plus average fuel-reserves, it will cope with block distances of 1,700 statute miles. This version, carrying extra tanks but not the cold-weather equipment in T.C.A.'s machines, should be ready in 1955. To date the prototype 630 has completed 1,090 hours, the first larger Viscount, 893, and B.E.A.'s first Discovery-class, 117. Both types have carried out successful tropical, high-altitude, and de-icing trials, and it will be remembered that the 630 made several trial passeneer-carrying flights for B.E.A. during 1950. B.E.A.'s second machine is practically ready for delivery. Mr. Edwards hones that Viscounts will be adopted to replace the Vikings of the Queen's Right. Until now B.E.A. have been the most northerly operators of Viscount customers. Among the special needs now named by T.C.A. are extra internal heating for outside ground-level tem peratures down to —do deg. C—this simply means larger internal aircraft heaters; modifications to counter the ice which bombards the undersides of the aircraft on take-off and landing. This results from the slush tlirown up from the runway freezing ARRIVAL FROM THE ARCTIC: The scene at Kastrup, Copenhagen, on the evening of November 20th; S.A.S. DC-6B "Arild ViUng" has just completed its pioneer flight from Los Angeles by way of Greenland— arriving 12 m:n ahead of schedule. The journey, accomplished in less than 23 hr flying time, is recorded on page 681. duties from Mr. E. Barker, who remains secretary of Eric Rylands, Ltd., and Samlesbury Engineering, Ltd. The appointment is also announced of Mr. K. H. Blackham, formerly airport manager at Dusseldorf, Koln, Wahn and Hamburg, as Skyways' manager at Hamburg. * * * Operations by Trans-Australian Airlines during the financial year ended June 30th resulted in a loss of £A74,438 (£59,550 sterling) compared with a profit of ^204,799 (£164,639 sterling) for the previous year. The number of passengers carried, 670,406, was 10 per cent more than the previous year's figure, and the number of passenger-miles flown rose from 289.4m to 318.9m. The airline reported that a 13 per cent rise in revenue to £A5.6m had not been sufficient to offset rising costs. * * * Publication is announced by I.C.A.O. of a book which sets out the most efficient and economical way of organizing search and rescue operations and of establishing the necessary organizations. The need for uniformity of procedure is underlined by the fact that such operations may take place in widely varying conditions, and may involve aircraft and ground parties from three or four nations. Copies of the Search and Rescue Manual, which is available in English, French and Spanish, may be obtained at a cost of 7s. from H.M. Stationery Office. immediately as it passes through the air. Provision is also required for increased electrical loadings. The only modification required to the Dart turboprops is the fitting of an increased-capacity alternator. On the next 150-hour development run a routine check will be made of the appropriate auxiliary drive. Tests are also being made with a synthetic lubricant which is thinner than natural oil under Arctic conditions and gives better lubrication for extremely cold starting. This will also be the subject of a test run under A.R.B. supervision. The Darts will have Rotol airscrews, and so far reversible pitch has not been considered necessary. Anti-skid brakes are expected to be adequate on ice-covered runways. Mr. Roberts stated on behalf of T.C.A. that his company did not under-estimate the difficulties of introducing a completely new type of aircraft on Canadian routes, nor did they under estimate the advantages of having two years' experience by B.F.A. to draw upon by the time they introduced their Viscounts. The Canadian operators are, of course, conversant with Folls-Foyce engines and service through the Merlins of their North Stars. The particular Darts concerned in the T.C.A. order are known either as RDa3s, or Rolls-Rovce 505s. No increase in p°wer figures is expected during the further development of these units, but the overhaul times are expected to go up considerably. VICKERS VISCOUNT 724: LATEST OPERATING DATA (Four Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops of 1,530 e.h.p.) Developed gross a.u.w. 58,500 1b Maximum payload 13,100 lb Maximum continuous cruising speed at 23,000ft (mean weight, 47,000 lb) 336 m.p.h. - Recommended economical cruising speed ... ... ... 307 m.p.h. Take-off distance to clear 50ft at sea level 4,800ft Landing distance at 52.000 lb 2,640f Fuel consumption at 307 m.p.h 244 imp. gall/hr TYPICAL PERFORMANCE:* Cost per Cost per Pavload Range passenger-mile ton-mile (lb) (st. m) (48 seats) (pence) pence) 13.000 350 1.40 11.45 13,000 750 1.27 10.40 9,700 1,250 3 13.7 •Allowance is made for cruising speed of 301 m.p.h. (13,300 r.p.m.), with fuel reserves for 45 min stand-off at 10,000ft with one engire stopped, ard for a 230>mile diversion to an alternative \irport. Costs are based on 2,000 hours' annual utilization and fuel cost (kerosine) of 1s. 10d. per imp. gall.
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