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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2446.PDF
3 September 1954 329 Csy fl^I_Q Power plant Span Length Two Rolls-Royce Avon Mil 65ft 6in Power plant A.S. Doable Man sPan 54tt 4in L?neth 43h O C7 * NXftS • ENGLISH ELECTRIC CANBERRA B.8 This night-intruder development of ' the Canberra flew for the first time as recendy as July 23rd this year and is considered to be the most versatile member of the whole family, being designed to perform in two roles. First of rhejse is long-range night intrusion—or "interdiction"—over enemy territory, widi the object of attacking ground targets, especially communications; the second is die Canberra's normal commitment of high-altitude bombing. Conversion from one role to the other is quickly effected. For night intrusion an unspecified forward-firing armament is mounted in a fairing beneath the fuselage, and provision is made for "a variety of weapons" under the wings. (In this last connection it may be noted that the Martin B-57B—an American development for similar duties—carries as a typical under-wing load eight rocket projectiles and four napalm tanks, in addition to the wing-tip auxiliary fuel tanks.) The armament of the Canberra B.8 is, of course, under die control of the pilot, who is seated under a new, fighter-type, canopy offset to the port side of the fuselage, and from which an extensive all-round view is attain able. The second crew-member—die navigator—is in the nose with "a wide range of navi gational equipment." The B.8 has the more powerful Rolls-Royce Avons which characterize die B.6 bomber and P.R.7 long-range, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. FAIREY GANNET Gannet A.S.I three-seater carrier-borne anti-submarine aircraft, powered with the Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba turboprop, are now undergoing inten sive service tests in the Fleet Air Arm preparatory to equipping a number of squadrons. Notwithstanding the Gannet's rapidly advancing stage of production, however, technical details are still withheld, though it can be said that the weight of the aircraft is more than twice that of the last-war Swordfish. (In torpedo/bomber condition the Swordfish weighed over 8,000 lb.) It can also be stated that die Gannet is built on the "envelope jigging" principle —in effect, "from the outside inwards." Each wing folds, under power, at two points, and the stowed height is thus kept down to 13.75ft. A very long, broad weapons bay accommodates the latest anti-submarine weapons, and to the rear of this is a retractable "bin" for the search radar. The use of the Double Mamba turboprop means that it is unnecessary for carriers equipped widi Gannets to store petrol—a vulnerable commodity—and diat die aircraft can protract its endurance by cruising on half power (i.e., wim one half of the Double Mamba shut down), reserving full output for take-off, strike and emergency. Three weeks ago the first flight of die Gannet T.2 was announced. This type will provide advanced training for crews in weapon and engine handling, and No. 3 cockpit is adaptable to carry either a radio operator or two passengers.
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