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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0899.PDF
IO July 1953 55 One of the most fearsome spectacles yet seen and heard) at a flying display—the S.O. Espadon, with its S.E.R.P. rocket in oction. salute to the colours. The helicopter flew to the centre of the air port with a large pole hanging vertically beneath; this was detached and erected and a tricolour broken, the S-55 circling respectfully. Expressing both quantity and quality came the N.A.T.O. military formations—490 French parachutists spilling from 15 C-119 Packets, aerobatic teams of R.A.F. Vampires and French and American Thunderjets, and a stream of 96 jet fighters—32 Sabres and 64 Thunderjets. To the French parachutists and American Thunderjets of the 86th Fighter/Bomber Wing went the major honours. SOME ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS We conclude this report with some additional notes on aircraft which participated in the flying displays and/or static park. Hawker Hunter F.I.—The weight of the Hunter was quoted by the commentator as of the order of 13,000 lb (which seems too low to be true), and the armament as four 30-mm guns. Vickers-Supermarine Swift F.4.—Looking much like the beautiful model illustrated in Flight last week, Swift F.4 WK198 had a high-gloss blue finish and displayed various minor modifica tions. There are now four wing fences, a la Mig-15, and various small intakes in the fuselage are of the flush N.A.C.A. form. Ports for four guns are in evidence. Avro Shackleton.—On July 3rd a mission of French naval officers, thirty strong, was accorded a conducted tour of this anti-submarine aircraft. At their head were Admiral Nomy, Chef of Aeronavale, and Admiral Ruyssen. The Shackleton is an obvious replacement for the reconditioned maritime- reconnaissance Lancasters delivered to the French some months ago. S.O.9000 Trident.—This supersonic research aircraft is S.N.C.A.S.O.'s 18th prototype since the liberation and its 8th turbine-powered prototype, having followed the S.O.6000 Triton, the S.O.6020 Espadon, S.O.M.2, S.O. 1120 Ariel helicopter, S.O.4000 bomber, S.O.30 Nene, and S.O.4050 Vautour. Designed by M. Servanty, it was first flown by Jacques Guignard at Melun- Villaroche on March 2nd this year. Its purpose is to provide data for the construction of a supersonic intercepter and it was com pleted within fifteen months of the order being placed by the (Left) Weighty argument against submarines—the Avro Shackleton M.R.2, pilot Johnny Raker. (Right) The Nord 2501 Noratlas progresses well on one of its two Bristol Hercules. Four similar machines flew over in excellent formation. ¥ by two Atar axials of 5,500 lb apiece, the Vautour is the first twin-jet French aircraft to achieve supersonic flight. Guignard's handling of it was impressive, particularly his steep final turn for a parachute-braked landing which looked "hot" but not unsafe. The mur, by now somewhat battered, was subjected to further assaults by the Hunter and Swift, both of which produced satis factory bangs. When Mike Lithgow took off in the record- breaking Swift F.4 it was observed that four "fences" instead of two are now mounted on the sharply swept wings. Afterburning gave the Swift's Avon a particularly throaty sound on at least one low run. During one of those periods of silence which always precedes the sonic thunderclap, keen eyes spotted the Hunter moving into a wide area of clear blue sky directly above. Barely visible, it slipped noiselessly overhead; then, as cloud again screened the aircraft, a treble bang shook the ground and the distant scream of the Avon followed in the Hunter's unseen wake. Neville Duke showed its paces at close quarters—in the lowest, speediest low run of the day—before signing off with a sequence of slow and fast rolls. Roland Beamont, flying the Canberra B.2, gave a seven- minute show which embodied all he knows of demonstration flying—and no pilot knows more. The Parisian crowd thrilled to every move of the silver bomber, whether bearing down towards the runway for a fast run or wheeling sharply with one wing-tip seemingly brushing the grass. In the red Avro 707A, Roly Falk lent realism to the Atlantic and Vulcan models which captured so much attention in the static exhibition. A very slow, nose-up fly-past with dive-brakes extended and the shortest landing of the day by any jet aircraft were notable features of the little delta's performance. The Canberra was further demonstrated in triplicate and with zest—by a flight from No. 101 Squadron (Binbrook). Helicopter displays of individuality were provided by "Sox" Hosegood (Bristol 171), M. Boulet (S.E. 3120 Alouette) and Capt. Valerie Andre (Hiller) who is not only a pilot but a surgeon, experienced parachutist and, we were assured, a most attractive young Frenchwoman. In an S.E.-built Sikorsky S-55 (dubbed Elephant Joyeux by the French) M. Henry performed a gallant
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