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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1414.PDF
568 FLIGHT, 23 October 1953 DEFENDER OF THE DOMINION . . . The striking roll shows the agility of this 17-tonner—manoeuvra bility which has been further improved on the Mk 4. Below, a domestic close-up shows the size of the aircraft, the height of which is underlined by the ten- step ladder. The gun pack is away from this machine, for purposes of re-arming. was followed by the Mk 2, a pre-production type, half of which were retained by Avro Canada for experimental development. The Mk 3 was the first true production machine; the production run for this mark began in September 1952, and was completed ahead of schedule in July this year. The Mk 3 is now in multi- squadron service with the R.C.A.F., the first deliveries having been made to No. 3 all-weather O.T.U. at North Bay, Ontario, commanded by G/C. F. R. Sharp. For over a year this O.T.U. has handled CF-100 conversion, all- weather training, and development of procedures, including high- altitude interceptions, and ground-level close-support work. Earlier this year, two regular fighter squadrons, Nos. 423 and 445, were formed at North Bay, these being the first CF-100 operational units. No. 445 Squadron recently moved to Uplands, Ottawa, to take the place of the Sabre wing which is now stationed at Baden-Soellingen. Several of the accompanying photographs are of aircraft of 445 Squadron, which are distinguished by striped rudders and nosewheel doors and insignia resembling a flash of lightning. Armament of the Mk 3 consists of eight 0.5in guns, mounted around the floor of a large ammunition-tank which slides into the belly of the aircraft forward of the wing. This tank can be refilled and serviced on the ground and clipped into place in a few minutes; it is, we believe, one of the results of the R.C.A.F.'s extensive cold-weather research at temperatures far below zero. Used in conjunction with this powerful armament is comprehen sive airborne search and gunsight radar; the gun pack and nose radome are prominent in the illustrations. Also clearly visible are the black de-icers over the leading edges of wings and tail, such equipment being essential on a machine of this type. The black strips are rubber sheaths housing electric resistance wires; the Orendas are de-iced by alcohol sprays, and Nesa electrically heated glass is used for the outer windscreen. Jan Zurakowski examined the Mk 3 carefully when he joined Avro Canada last year. We have been told that it was on his recommendation that modifications were made to the airframe which resulted in the supersonic Mk 4. The first Mk 4—the subject of the three-view drawing on this week's Aircraft Intelli gence page—was originally one of the Mk 2 development machines. Zurakowski took it closer and closer to Mach 1, eventually going sonic on December 18th last year. This transonic programme had, according to Avro Canada, three purposes: to establish that the aircraft was completely controllable at transonic and sonic speeds; to remove present speed restrictions and eventually get a no-limitation rating on speeds at high altitudes; and to show R.C.A.F. pilots that, if they had to dive to attack or escape, the CF-100 was powerful enough and structurally sound enough to enter the sonic zone. The Mk 4 is not only supersonic but has an entirely new arma ment—up to 100 folding-fin unguided rockets carried in the wing tips. This installation was developed with a Mk 3 at a range over the southern shore of Lake Ontario, during the earlier part of this year. The Mk 4 also has the more powerful Orenda 9, and is faster and more manoeuvrable than earlier CF-lOOs. Most important of all is the new and blunter nose, manufactured by Hughes Aircraft, of Culver City, California. This houses the latest automatic search and lock-on intercepter fire-control system, hitherto carried only by aircraft of the U.S.A.F. Today, the first Mk 4s are just coming off the production line after a re-organization of the entire Avro Canada factory, in the course of which 15,000 new tools, dies and jigs were installed. This was required partly to meet the changed structure of the new fighter, and partly to permit the enormous Mk 4 production schedule, which is to reach its peak in the early months of next year. Although Avro Canada have other projects—which might be described as "revolutionary"—under development, CF-100 production will probably remain their main product for some years to come. It is the intention that every fighter squadron to be based in Canada will be equipped with the CF-100 Mk 4. Additionally, three Sabre squadrons of the R.C.A.F. Air Division serving in Allied Air Forces, Central Europe, are scheduled to be replaced by all-weather units. Altogether, the CF-100, an aircraft and engine without any heritage or background whatever, is a machine for which the western world may be very grateful. A.D.A. EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS 'T'HE Aluminium Development Association announces a num- -*- ber of changes in the membership of its council and executive committee. They are as follows: — Council.—Mr. H. E. Jackson has resigned following his retire ment from the Board of Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Metals Division), and his place has been taken by Dr. Maurice Cook. Mr. G. A. Woodruff has resigned on retiring from J. Stone and Co. Ltd.; he represented L.M.F.A. Development, Ltd., on the council and his place has been taken by Mr. J. F. Paige of William Mills, Ltd. Mr. C. W. Cumber, representing Richard Thomas and Baldwins, Ltd., has resigned on taking up an overseas appointment with his company; his successor on the council has yet to be appointed. Executive Committee.—On his appointment to the council, Dr. Cook has been succeeded on the executive committee by Dr. N. P. Inglis. Mr. F. G. Woollard has resigned, following his retirement from the Birmid Group, and his place has been taken by Mr. Harold Goodwin of Birmetals, Ltd. Mr. F. R. C. Smith has also resigned, since in his new position in the Aluminium, Ltd., Group it was impracticable for him to continue to represent Aluminium Laboratories, Ltd., on this committee. Mr. J. H. Mayes of Northern Aluminium Co., Ltd., takes his place.
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