FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1151.PDF
Power plant 2 Bristol Hercules 239s Span Length Gc->ss weight Max. of>sed 89ft sin 63ft 2in 36,500 lb 291 m.p.h. I ickerfi-Arntslronifs I tilettrt THERE are three R.A.F. marks of this military development of the Viking, for three distinct duties. The Valetta C.l is the most widely used and is a multi-purpose transport for troops, freight, paratroop and supply dropping, and ambulance work. The C.2 is a special V.I.P. version with seats for 9-15 passengers and equipped with a pantry and special baggage stowage. (This model also has additional fuel tanks which in creases the range to over 1,300 miles.) The third of the series—the T.3— is a special navigational "flying classroom" and can be distinguished by the six astrodomes strung out along the top of the fuselage. Although as a transport the Valetta does not have the advantage of rear loading or nose loading, it does have a large freight-loading door, measuring 8 ft 6 in x 5 ft 8 in, in the port side of the fuselage. The total volume of the main cabin is 1,565 cu ft, and* the specially strengthened floor and the sides of the fuselage (which is elliptical in section) are well provided with freight tie-down points. N»-' Power plant Span Length Gross weight Max. speed 2 Bristol Hercules 264s , 05ft 6in 67ft 6in 37,500 lb .. 290 m.p.h. <£2 I ir/errs-Armstrongs Ifirstfy UNDER the designation Varsity T.l the Royal Air Force is employing this type of aircraft as a "flying classroom," for the training of aircrews, the specified roles being air navigation/ bomb-aiming, pilot training and signals training. Between the flight deck and the wing spar, in an underslung cell which can also contain twenty-four 25 lb practice bombs, is a side-by-side bomb-aiming station for instructor and pupil, and aft of the spar is a combined station for two pupils operating H2S radar, with a separate seat for an instructor. Accommodation is available for four additional pupils if required. Although the Varsity is a descendant of the Viking and Valetta, it is a somewhat larger and more powerful machine and has a nosewheel undercarriage, in conformity with modern practice. Safety features include a fixed tailwheel for protection in the event of unduly tail-down landings, parachute and crash exits fore and aft, and "pull-in" cabin windows. Access panels are generously dis tributed throughout the airframe.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
