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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0255.PDF
FLIGHT, 27 February 1953 253 The rocket-launching tubes of the Avro Canada CF-100 are clearly seen in this striking photograph. The aircraft is a Mk 3 and 27 missiles have already been "rippled" from the starboard launcher. A brilliant exhaust flame is visible as the 28th accelerates from the muzzle. AIRCRAFT INTELLIGENCE Great Britain De Havilland Vampire Trainer. Several nations, including Portugal and South Africa have now received their first de liveries of Vampire dual-control trainers. At home, the Vampire T.u is firmly established at a number of R.A.F. training schools. In the near future, trainer Vam pires will come from de Havillands with Martin-Baker ejection seats of a special compact type. At the same time a new canopy will be introduced of a clear-vision semi-frameless pattern. Canada Avro Canada CF-IOO. Although it at one time appeared unlikely to have much in fluence on world events, the big CF-100 has now emerged as one of the most useful weapons in any nation's armoury. The most recent CF-100 development—but not an unexpected one—is the installation of wing-tip rocket launchers. The manner in which these missiles can be carried is quite variable; the Starfire carries 24 in the nose, the F-86D Sabre has 24 in a tray under the belly and the F-89D Scorpion has 24 in the nose of each of its large wing- tip tanks. The CF-100 has easily the most advanced installation yet revealed. The outer wings each house thirty rockets (2.75m folding-fin unguided weapons) which are fired from wing-tip launching tubes. The only other "belt-fed" installa tion of this nature yet announced is that of the Aero X-10 U.S. Navy rocket in the wings of a Skyraider in 1949. The total of 60 rockets carried by the CF-100 is shortly to be increased to no less than 100, when minor structural modifications have been carried out. Early CF-ioos were armed with four fixed 30 mm cannon—which may be retained to supplement the rockets. The supersonic Mk. 4 aircraft also fea ture an interesting tray under the belly. Ornithopter. The latest team to attempt to develop a workable ornithopter (flapping- wing aircraft) consists of J. E. Caldwell (engineer), H. D. Shannon (constructor) and W. Francis (pilot). All three are of Medicine Hat, Alberta. Their design, which is now ready for a trial flight, mounts two wings on either side of the pilot. The wing upper surface is un covered, while the lower skin is formed from hinged plastic foil strips which open on the "up-stroke" and close on the down ward beat. U.S.A. Bell Helicopters. The prototype Bell XHSL-i, a large anti-submarine helicopter with twin tandem rotors driven by a Double Wasp, is now ready for initial flight trials. The type is scheduled for ship- borne service with the U.S. Navy. Also at Fort Worth is a project for a civil-transport development of the XHSL powered by two Allison T-38 turboprops; this would have a larger fuselage, for some 50 passengers. Japan New Projects. According to the Japanese Aviation Research Organization, the design staffs of Fuji Industries (formerly Naka- jima) and Shin Mitsubishi have both started design work on aircraft for the forthcoming Japanese Air Force. The former company is developing a basic trainer with a 450 h.p. Pratt and Whitney Wasp. Mitsubishi are developing a similar, but more powerful, trainer and are also negotiating with North American for the assembly of T-28 (Harvard development) trainers at their Komaki plant. At a cost of $72,000 each, the T-28S would go to the Japanese National Safety Force. Miscellaneous Flying Saucers. Stories of these mysterious vehicles are legion; only rarely, however, is such a report coupled with the name of a manufacturer. Particular interest is, therefore, attached to the following two announcements. In the first case, Radio Belgrade stated that a number of flying saucers flew over a Belgrade suburb on February 15th. They were, it appears, developed by the research department of the Jugoslav Air Force and had the fol lowing characteristics : diameter, 40 in; all-up weight, 4i lb; top speed, 31 m.p.h. with radio control. A further display is "scheduled for Marshal Tito's birthday". The second report is of a much more ambitious project. No less a firm than Avro Canada is involved, for at their Malton, Ontario, factory they are alleged to have a wooden mock-up saucer under "super security" guard. Reports have it that the diameter will be 40 ft, the speed 1,500 m.p.h. and that vertical take-off will be possible. Plans of the project have "been studied by the British Air Ministry". =•= DOUGLAS AD-4W SKYRAIDER (Wright R-3350-26W) Sp»n SOftO-rVin Length.. ... 39ft 3|m
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