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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1685.PDF
FLIGHT, 25 December 1953 839 AIRCRAFT INTELLIGENCE VENOMOUS: This striking tower-to-air view shows a D.H. Venom NF 3 beating up Christchurch after a recent production test. This Venom has a new nose, housing very powerful radar, and other improvements have been made to the ailerons and elevator to provide even better powers of manoeuvre. Two ejection seats are fitted under the clear-view canopy. The NF 3 is stressed for combat with tip and underwing tanks fitted. Great Britain Hawker Hunter. Rearward view has been much in the minds of fighter designers of late; the revised canopy of the single-seat Meteors was illustrated recently, and it can now be stated that production Hunters are likewise to have a new pattern of canopy in which the transparency extends right back to the dorsal spine. Even this modification is by no means a perfect answer to the problem, for vision is inevitably slightly distorted when looking through the canopy at an acute angle; furthermore, it is no easy matter for the pilot to turn his head fully round when all equipment is being worn. At least one American fighter is being fitted with a complex system of mirrors with which it is hoped to provide full vision directly astern. Bristol Britannia. One of the principal contenders for the 1957 era of transports will be a developed Britannia with new power units. Dr. Stanley Hooker, chief engineer of Bristol's engine division, is reported to have an airscrew-driving two- spool unit under development, reminiscent of the Olympus, but about half as large in linear dimensions. At sea level the engine would be throttled to 4,000 h.p., which would thus become an always-available take-off rating maintained up to about 15,000ft. At the latter height the throttle would be fully open and power would drop to about 2,900 h.p. at 36,000ft. Cruising speed should be about 450 m.p.h. High-speed Projects. In the caption to a photograph of the Short SB.5 variable- sweep aircraft in an American journal are the words: "Note arrangement of ailerons at tip trailing-edges square to air stream. This feature is among favourite British practices on high-speed projects." One can only wait and see. France SFECMAS 1402. Great interest has been aroused by the appearance of this lightweight delta-winged intercepter. De signed to be supersonic in level flight, and powered by an Atar turbojet with after burner, the 1402 is a remarkable design made possible by experience with un dowered prototypes of various configura tions (Flight, February 6th, 1952, p. 162, and March 20th, p. 354). The prototype 1402 is now carrying out taxying trials at Melun Villaroche while awaiting final equipment. When the machine is com pleted it will be transported to Istres for a first flight during the first few weeks of the New Year. Japan Mitsubishi Jet Trainer. Yet another American design is to be manufactured in Japan—the Lockheed T-33 trainer, powered normally by an Allison J33 turbo jet. Shin Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are completing a mock-up of a slightly modified version, which will go into pro duction next year powered by an un specified turbojet developed by the Japan Jet Engine Company. (It may be remem bered that a Japanese axial turbojet was described in our issue of November 27th last, on p. 699.) The Kawasaki Aircraft Company also have a technical agreement with Lockheed, and licence-production of various Lockheed aircraft including the T-33 will begin next year, largely to fill the needs of the National Safety Force. The latter body are already receiving American and Japanese-built Bell helicopters, Beech Mentors and other aircraft, including fighters. BLACKBURN BEVERLEY CI (Four Bristol Contourut) Span 162ft Length 99ft 2in
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