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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2086.PDF
13 July 1954 101 I Venoms blow wing tanks to jettison fuel (right) \ni taxi out for take-off ifter and before extending //ings. They are normally narked, as they would be Jpboard ship, with wjngs folded. high speed of which the Venom is capable, after which the squad ron re-formed and made a stream landing. The whole demonstration was carried out with great precision. The crews were first briefed, watches synchronized and the cart ridges hissed and smoked in unison ten minutes later. The Venoms were parked with wings folded, and just before the start the ground crews moved away, leaving the aircraft silent and still, the hoods locked shut and asbestos cloths flapping gently over the tailplanes; these cloths prevent scorching of the surfaces by the initial blast from the jet-pipes (otherwise there might be adverse effects on the high-speed characteristics of the\aircraft). The Sea Venoms taxied out to the accompaniment.of the piercing squeal of their Ghosts, unfolded their wings immediately and moved in close formation to the runway threshold. They took off in a vie of three and a pair. After initial runs to a vie of five, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 alone flew past, with the outside aircraft jettisoning fuel by "blow ing" their tip-tanks and leaving a thick stream of kerosine vapour from each tank. The final circuit before landing was at low altitude, as is the Naval custom, and the touch-down closely spaced and fol lowed by a fairly long run. As the aircraft taxied in, wings were simultaneously folded at a word of command from the leader. Altogether it was an impressive display of air drill and the aircraft appeared to be tractable and smooth to fly although they are not yet fitted with the powered ailerons which will be stan dard on the Sea Venom FAW.22. Control is reported to be good, although fine control movement may be influenced by wing-flexing when the tip-tanks are full. The pilots reported that the Sea Venom was comfortable to fly in and its performance, especially at altitude, up to Venom stan dard, though no exact figures may be mentioned. It is capable of carrying out a number of widely varied offensive and defensive duties and should prove a most useful addition to the carrier's armament and to the defence of the fleet and of convoys. Mean while, the working-up process continues apace, with night and day flying almost evenly divided. A second squadron, No. 809, is also at Yeovilton working-up, and others will follow. Five of the squadron's aircraft fold their wings in unison while taxying in after a stream landing. The power-folding sequence i^ttSdring completion .;-* "Flight" photograph .... • . lOlff s
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