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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1623.PDF
FLIGHT, 11 December 1953 777 • '•»• - SS^Ejj "" • • Destruction absolute: the Baka suicide aircraft of 1944. Twin-boom, single-jet—the compact de Havilland Vampire (1943). 190 A four-jet development of the Arado Ar 234 (1944) were employed to excellent effect in the Korean campaign. When it first flew in 1943 the de Havilland Vampire jet fighter (189) was known as the Spider Crab by reason of its twin-boom layout. Of remarkable compactness, the Vampire is generally powered with a Goblin turbojet, likewise of D.H. manufacture. It has displayed the characteristic de Havilland propensity for development, and the single-seat intercepter version was succeeded by the Sea Vampire (an early model of which underwent deck-landing trials late in 1945), by fighter/bomber adaptations and by two-seat versions for train ing and night fighting. With a new and thinner wing, a Ghost turbojet and other refinements the Vampire became the Venom, and of this basic type, in turn, single-seat and two-seat versions are now in large-scale production. 1944 While the Vampire did not see service in the late war, a contemporary German machine, the Arado Ar 234 was operated on a limited scale. The four-jet version shown at 190 (234s were mostly twin-jet) was designed for a speed approach ing 550 m.p.h. Although it is true that the Germans developed a piloted version of the V-l, and that the Japanese made suicide attacks with standard types of aircraft, the first machine designed for, and used for, suicide tactics was the Baka (191). This was launched from a bomber at about 27,000ft and glided towards the target. Rockets were then ignited, and in the final aiming dive the speed could reach 600 m.p.h. or more. The warhead weighed over 2,500 lb. It is pleasant, after considering this terrible weapon, to turn to a transport aircraft which, although built for military use, has contributed much to the alleviation of human distress, as, for instance, on the Berlin air-lift. The machine is the Fair- child Packet, an early (C-82) version of which is illustrated at 192. A particularly valuable feature is the provision of doors at the rear, whereby bulky items can be loaded, unloaded, or parachuted. An experimental development, known as the Pack Plane, has a completely detachable fuselage—a feature incor porated in the Miles M.68 of 1947. For many years fighter-designers have essayed a machine in which small dimensions and low weight (and, consequently, low cost) have been dominant considerations. Such a machine was the Heinkel He 162 "People's Fighter" (193). Designed to employ as little "strategic" material as possible, it had a span af only 24ft but carried the very useful armament of two '0 mm guns (the heavier twin-jet Me 262 had four of these weapons). Had German production—and the war—continued, there is little doubt that He 162s would have been a serious menace to Allied bombers. A few were operational, but in lesser numbers than the Me 163B (194), which was the first rocket-propelled fighter to be used in action. It took off from a jettisonable chassis and was propelled to 30,000ft by its Walter liquid rocket in little more than 2j minutes. Its ceiling was over 50,000ft. Duration under power was less than 10 minutes but endurance could be extended by periods of gliding. 1945 The Junkers Ju 287 (195) was the first large multi- jet bomber and is of interest in that the wing was swept forward, ^though it is commonly supposed that this was the first instance of forward sweep, research discloses that the American Hurlburt built (but not flown) in 1910, was similarly distinguished. The Bachem Natter (196) was a semi-expendable, rocket- propelled and rocket-armed "local defence" intercepter, to be launched from a tower-like structure with the assistance of auxiliary rockets and to climb at the rate of 37,000ft/min. 192 The Fairchild Packet of 1944 had rear-loading doors. 193 The "People's Fighter"—Dr. Heinkel's He 162 (1944). 194 The first rocket-propelled intercepter was the Me 163B of 1944. 195 Four jets and forward sweep: the Ju 287 of 1945. 196 Vertical take-off: the rocket- propelled bachem Natter of 1945. MMHUHSi
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