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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 1965.PDF
ADVERTISEMENT FLIGHT, 2 July 1954 The fly in NATURAL MEDIUM FOR ATOMIC PROPULSION MN THE DEVELOPMENT of jet engines and jet-propelled aircraft Britain has led the world. Shall we be ready to take the lead again when atomic propulsion is as real as the jet ? That atomic power will be harnessed as a means of propulsion is now certain: many applications are already under development. It is merely a matter of time—less time probably than we think. There is another certainty too—that an atomic power plant, with its protective shield, will be far heavier than any previous system of aircraft propulsion. It is estimated that, for years to come, the minimum all-up weight of an aircraft designed for atomic propulsion will be in the region of 500,000 lb.—probably even higher. HIGH WING-LOADING With atomic propulsion will come the advantage of almost negligible 'fuel' consumption and the corre sponding disadvantage that landing weight must be a much higher proportion of take-off weight. High wing-loading at both take-off and landing is inevit able. The long landing run involved, coupled with the great size of the aircraft, puts the landplane right out of the picture. The atomic aircraft must be a fiying-boat. Fortunately for the future, our behind-the-scenes aerodynamic and hydrodynamic research has equipped us to design high-efficiency flying-boats of the size and characteristics required. In fact, 60% of the estimated minimum size necessary for atomic propulsion has already been achieved in the Saunders-Roe Princess. PROFITABLE PRINCESS But this fine aircraft is something more than the pattern for the large atomic flying-boats of the future. The Princess, outstanding in both performance and payload, can be applied to long-haul services on a new basis of economy. With its operational engines this stately flying-boat makes a highly attractive com mercial proposition. Consider what a modern flying-boat such as the Princess has to offer the civil (or military) operator. It is independent of the land runway—now so vulnerable and prohibitive in cost. It is the landplane's equal in speed. Its range enables it to offer minimum block times over the longest routes. On long trans-ocean stages, a flying-boat gives the air traveller greater confidence—a feeling of security that is important when 75% of the world's surface is water. And an up-to-date water-based aircraft can operate- as the Princess has demonstrated—from natural stretches of water such as the Solent. Its base facilities are not costly. It can make full use of every modern navigational aid that is available to the landplane. The modern flying-boat is a paying proposition —as well as a pattern for the future. An announcement by SAUNDERS-ROE
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