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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0002.PDF
FLIGHT HUNTER DELIVERIES were recently described by the Under-Secretary of State for Air (see paragraph on this page) as having "largely caught up." Certainly these "Daily Express" views of a line-up at No. 5 M.U. (W/C W. N. Elwy-Jones) augur well for the New Year. In all, twelve machines were on parade. Observant readers will spot the ground-covers over the auxiliary intakes. FROM ALL QUARTERS Fighter Production TN relation to the production programme of March 1953,-*- deliveries of Hunters, which at one time fell badly behind, have now largely caught up. This was announced in the Houseof Commons recently by Mr. George Ward, Under-Secretary of State for Air. The Swift, he said, was "anodier story altogether."Originally, he recalled, it was developed as a private venture from a research aircraft commissioned by the Ministry of Supply.This research aircraft—the 535—was built to test some of the problems involved in the operational requirements issued in 1948for an aircraft to replace the day fighters then in service. It was thought in 1950, when production orders were placed for theSwift, that, with the Hunter, it would meet the needs of the Royal Air Force. Since then, more than one version of theoriginal design had been built. Aerodynamically difficult prob- lems had been encountered, and it was not yet possible to saywhether all these difficulties could be overcome in all the versions which were now under development. R.C.A.F. Equipment and Training MOST of the twelve squadrons in the NATO Air Division ofthe Royal Canadian Air Force are now equipped with Orenda-powered Sabres. This is announced in an end-of-the-year statement by the R.C.A.F. During 1954, it is recalled, plans were announced for the acquisition of a number of P2V-7Neptunes, and work began on a maritime version of the Bristol Britannia. The decision was taken to introduce the Chipmunkinto the pilot-training programme for the regular R.C.A.F., this move having been approved after test-courses had determined thedesirability of providing the first 20 or 25 hours of training on the Chipmunk radier dian on the Harvard. The new plan, whenit is implemented, will reduce wastage and training costs. Students will subsequently advance to the Harvard. [A scheme in almostdirect contrast with that of the R.A.F—see p. 5.—Ed.] Late in September the first of ten Sikorsky S-55 helicopters wasdelivered. The R.C.A.F. has also received six twin-rotor Piasecki H-21A helicopters for search and rescue. A number of Auxiliaryfighter squadrons were issued with T-33 Silver Star jet trainers. Reference is also made to the "Pine-tree chain" of radar instal-lations. Construction of a more northerly system, "generally to the north of the settled territory in Canada," is under way and isreferred to as the "Mid-Canada Line." This Year's Air Racing TPHIS year's National Air Races will consist of four meetings,•*- each comprising five races, and each race counting towards one of the five trophies awarded (excluding the King's Cup).The trophies are: the S.B.A.C. Challenge Cup, for aircraft whose maximum speed is more than 160 m.p.h.; the Air League Chal-lenge Cup, for Percival Proctors; the Kemsley Challenge Trophy, for aircraft with a maximum speed of more than 130 m.p.h. andnot included in either of the foregoing classes; the Norton Griffiths Challenge Trophy, for D.H. Tiger Moths; and the GrosvenorChallenge Cup, for Austers (and for aircraft, other than Tiger Moths, with a maximum speed of up to 130 m.p.h.). In eachcase competing aircraft are limited to a maximum weight of 1,750 kg (3,358 lb). The meetings will be held at FairwoodCommon on April 30th, Yeadon on May 28th, Whitchurch on June 11th and Baginton on August 20th (when the King's CupRace and an international aerobatic competition will also be held). Orpheus and the Light Fighters TN connection with the report of the first bench-test of the BristolA Orpheus, an Italian source asserts that the result of the recent NATO light fighter design competition was (1) Breguet 1001,(2) Fiat G.91, and (3) Avro 720. The report continues that, while each of the companies concerned has been asked to submit anestimate for three prototypes, four prototype Orpheus engines have already been ordered. An order for a pre-production batchis expected this month, after the first bench tests. Bomb-plotting by Decca C!OME further facts are now available which amplify the rather^ sketchy information given in a recent Parliamentary reply con- cerning the resumption of R.A.F. bombing practice at the Theddle-thorpe (Saltfleet, Lines.) range. It is learned that the new plotting equipment which has been installed is a special version of standardDecca radar equipment. Exhaustive trials have shown that practice bombing can be observed and plotted widiout danger to life, andthat the site of any range so equipped can be chosen widi greater freedom and the safety area extended. Another Decca Radar contract is for the installation of a Type424 equipment for use by the Ministry of Supply's Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit, Martlesham Heath. The orderfollows extensive accuracv and Derformanre trials at the A T B TT
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