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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0746.PDF
740 FLIGHT FROM ALL QUARTERS B-47 Wing Arrives CIRST unit to be equipped with the Boeing B-47B Stratojet A medium bomber, the 306th Medium Bombardment Wing is normally based at MacDill A.F.B., Florida. During the past eighteen months the unit has been gradually working up to a fully operational standard, and now is in a "go-anywhere, do-anything" condition. Accordingly, and in conformity with U.S.A.F. practice, the Wing is on detachment to this country for 90 days' continuous training. The aircraft have flown from MacDill by way of Lime stone, Maine, where their crews were given a few hours' rest. The total distance from Florida is in the region of 4,500 miles, and the first aircraft made the 3,125-mile transatlantic crossing in 5 hr 53 min (rather over 530 m.p.h.). The U.S.A.F. are anxious that it should be known that the bombers are fully operational, and were cruised at normal long distance thrust; had they been after records, apparently, the figure could have been over 600 m.p.h. Flight refuelling was not used. The B-47S carried their normal crews of three "triple-head" per sonnel, each of whom can act as pilot, navigator or bombardier. A dummy bomb-load was also carried, and mock attacks were made at selected points during the Atlantic crossing. The 306th Wing is commanded by Col. Michael McCoy, who —like many U.S.A.F. top-ranking bomber pilots—is in his late forties. He piloted the first B-47 across, leaving Limestone on Thursday, June 4th, and arriving at the great base at Fairford, Glos, early in the evening. Fourteen other B-47S arrived on that day, and fifteen more on each of the following two days, thus bringing the Wing up to its full strength of 45 aircraft. The last machine made the journey in 5 hr 26 min, giving an average speed of 575 m.p.h. The crossings were the first direct flights from the U.S.A. to Great Britain by jet aircraft. The aircraft themselves, which are sure to excite considerable interest in this country, are recent-production B-47BS, with flat- fronted engine-pods. Underwing tanks have not been brought with them, but tail-braking parachutes are fitted and were, in fact, used on their first landings in this country. Records for Dunkerley CJUBJECT to confirmation by the F.A.I., Fred Dunkerley, the " well-known racing pilot, last Friday set up six new light aeroplane records during flights between London and Brussels and London and the Hague, in his Miles Gemini, G-AKKB (two Cirrus Minor 2s). In the morning he flew from Bovingdon (Herts,; to Grimbergen, outside Brussels, and back again, in 2 hr 30 miri 45 sec; he touched down, for a few seconds only, at the halfway point. In the afternoon he similarly flew to Ypenburg and back in 2 hr 34 min 39 sec. Both trips were made unaccompanied. Speeds in km/hr (m.p.h. in parentheses) were as follows: London-Brussels, 245 (152.3); Brussels-London, 271.9 (169); London-Brussels-London 256.7 (159.5); London-The Hague, 2 53-2 (157-3); The Hague-London, 274.7 (t70.7); London - The Hague-London, 262.9 (x63.3). Ramsgate Re-opening ESSENTIALLY a peace-time airfield—in that it was opened in 1936 but was used for agriculture throughout the war —Ramsgate Airport is to be officially re-opened on June 27th by Mr. Lennox-Boyd, Minister of Civil Aviation. Ramsgate has actually been in use since June 1st last year, when Air Kruise, Ltd., opened a scheduled service to Le Touquet via Lympne (for Customs clearance), having obtained a 21-year lease from Rams gate Corporation. Since then, however, the hangar and airport building have been renovated, facilities improved and the Ramsgate Flying Club has been re-formed. Among the club's most active supporters are U.S.A.F. personnel from Manston, who will take part in a flying display held to mark the re-opening ceremony. Aircraft of the R.A.F. and R.Aux.A.F. and the French Air Force will appear during the afternoon. Busy Week-end THE summer season of aeronautical week-end events, which has been increasing in intensity during the past month despite a number of meteorological set-backs, reaches a high level of activity tomorrow (Saturday, the 13th) and the next days with a variety of meetings in England and abroad. In this country, on Saturday, there is the Naval At Home at Lee-on-Solent, with an air display followed by 200 aircraft taking-off to participate in a practice for the Coronation Review fly-past. Gates will be open at 1200 hr, the display will run from 1430 to 1545, and aircraft will be taking off for and landing from the fly-past between 1600 and 1900 hr: no car-park movement will be allowed during this latter period. Admission will be free, but car-parking and programme sales proceeds will go to Naval charities; pleasure flight profits will also contribute to this cause. On Sunday, the 14th, the Royal Aeronautical Society's annual garden party is being held at de Havillands' airfield at Hatfield. Emphasis this year is on 50 years of powered flight, and a large variety of interesting aircraft—already listed in our pages—will be on view. If the weather is kind, some of the older machines will fly. Only members and their guests are eligible to attend On the 15th, the Royal Naval Coronation Review will take place in Spithead : full details of the fly-past plans appear on pages 750-754 of this issue. Abroad, the most noteworthy event is the Rhodes Centenary. WHOA !: The first Boeing B-47B to be based in this country streams its tail parachute as it touches down at Fairford. The other picture is of its crew after being met at Fairford by the Commanding General, 7th Air Division, Brig-Gen. . C. Selser; (left to right) Gen. Selser, Majors Charles Johnston and Bill Looney, and Col. Mike McCoy.
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