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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0489.PDF
FLIGHT, 17 April 1953 485 AIRCRAFT INTELLIGENCE FOR SUPERSONIC RESEARCH: bell's new X-1 A is clearly a descendant of the Bell X-1, which is generally agreed to have been the first supersonic aircraft. The X-1 A retains the original four- cylinder 6,000 lb-thrust rocket motor, but has a turbine-driven fuel pump, providing greater endurance than the X-1s pressurized tanks. The new machine is being flown by'"Skip" Ziegler from R-29 mother aircraft. Great Britain Airspeed Ambassador. American sources have stated that British European Airways plan to convert eight of their Elizabethan-class airliners into Nomad-powered freighters. Mr. Peter Masefield, B.E.A. chief executive, recently said that the Corporation was "interested" in the Nomad but was clearly not prepared to allow anything more definite to be published at this stage. France 5.O.4050 Vautow. This large, super sonic attack bomber has now completed its initial test flying, with about 20 flights to date. The first prototype is powered by two S.N.E.C.M.A. Atar 101B turbojets of 5,500 lb thrust each, but it is stated that the installation makes provision for more powerful Atars (the 101C and D, of up to 8,000 lb thrust) and also other turbojets of "much greater power." The latter are probably the big Vulcains. United States Convair R3Y Tradewind. Powered by four Allison T40 turboprops, this large flying-boat is a development of the XP5Y patrol prototype; the first Tradewind should fly in about 12 weeks' time. The main differences from the XP5Y are the provision of a fully pressurized and air-conditioned hull with large freight-loading doors, an increase in the area of the dorsal fin, revised wing-tip floats with vee-bracing struts, and complete re-design of the power units. The original T40—a double engine driving contraprops, each engine being geared to both airscrews—was unduly long, with a heavy extension shaft to a forward gearbox. The Tradewind engine is much neater and shorter, and also has shorter tail-pipes ejecting on top of the nacelle above the wing trailing-edge. Twelve R3YS are now being built at San Diego for a U.S. Navy trans-Pacific service next year. Later aircraft will have nose loading-doors. Douglas Attack Aircraft. Although it is giving excellent service in Korea, the AD Skyraider is considered too slow for use against strong opposition. It was developed into the A2D Skyshark which, powered by an Allison double turboprop unit, doubled the speed to about 500 m.p.h. Although the Skyshark flew four years ago production is far from certain, for the T40 engine is non-operational. The next attack design was the great A3D twin-jet carrier-based bomber, with a speed of some 630 m.p.h. The prototype is powered by two Westing-house J40S with afterburners, but other engines may be adopted for production versions. Finally, in order to provide the Marine Corps witti a fast strike aircraft, the A4D is being developed. This will be powered by a single Wright J65 Sapphire and will be supersonic. It should be a very useful type, with ability to do work now requiring several different aircraft. Northrop XB-62 Snark. It can now be stated that the Northrop company have a U.S.A.F. production order for the Snark. This is a pilotless bomber powered by a turbojet, and roughly parallels the Matador. Snarks are being flown from the Northrop plant in California to Patrick A.F.B. in Florida in C-124 Globemaster transports, for flight-testing at the latter base. Republic XF-gi. Named by the company "Thunderceptor," this is an experimental fighter which has been flying some three years. Among other novel features it has an inverse-taper wing with variable inci dence and a main undercarriage resembling that of the Valiant, retracting outwards into the wing tips. Following upon its recent supersonic flying it has been given a "butterfly" vee-tail, with sweepback. It is being used to assist in the development of new Republic fighters, of which the XF-I03 is said to be the most important. Avro 696 SHACKLETON MR.2 (Four Rolls-Royce Griffon) Span 120ft Ungth ... 87ft 4in
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