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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0552.PDF
FLIGHT, 29 April 1955 Airborne at last from Boeing Field, Seattle, is the first YC-97J, one of a pair of production Stratofreighters used by the U.S.A.F. for evaluation with 6J0O0 h.p. P. and W. T34 turboprops. First flight was on April 19 th, the crew being Ed Hortz (pilot), H. S. McMurray and Don Kelley. U.S.A. Convair F-102A. This supersonic delta-winged intercepter has a single-point pressure-fuelling system. Accessory Pro-ducts Corpn. have developed a new type of vent valve which permits very highfuelling rates while guarding against ex- cessive tank pressures. The F-102A hasintegral tankage, which could be seriously damaged by over-fuelling or excessivepressure. The type is also equipped with a braking parachute, housed in a box withsideways-opening doors above the tail-pipe. Douglas .6-66. It is reported that a newversion of this twin-jet tactical bomber and reconnaissance type is being -developed,with a revised form of crew compartment and canopy, a later mark of Allison J71Q71-A-11) and a different fuel system. This may be the "advanced model" of theB-66 which is to be built at the Tulsa, Oklahoma, factory. Lockheed TF-104. It is now learned thatthis tandem-seat trainer version of the F-104 fighter will incorporate downward-ejecting seats. This has been rendered necessary by the height of the fin and"T-mounted" tailplane. North American F-66H. A fighter/ AIRCRAFT INTELLIGENCE bomber version of the Sabre, now in pro-duction at Columbus and capable of carry- ing a heavier offensive load than any otherSabre, the "H" is one of the few manned U.S.A.F. production machines powered bythe General Electric J73, of about 9,000 lb rated thrust. It is now proposed to im-prove performance by fitting a reheat tail- pipe with a Marquardt variable-areanozzle. This should result in a thrust of some 12,000 lb for limited periods. Theearlier F-86F is also in production again, as a result of a recent U.S.A.F. order for500. Most of these are expected to be issued to the German Air Force for daytactical fighter/bomber wings. Service Designations. It is reported thatboth the U.S.A.F. and U.S.N. are attempt- ing to formulate a common system ofdesignating military aircraft. It has been suggested that the Air Force should adoptodd numerals—such as F-105—and the Navy the even numbers; such a system haslong been used to designate the sub-types of U.S. gas turbines, so that, for example,the J65-W-1 and -3 are Air Force Sapphires, whereas the J65-W-2 and -4 are for the U.S. Navy. Even the basic enginetype follows the same rule; thus the J65 (odd) was first bought by the Air Force,whereas the T34 (even) was originally a Navy development. Aircraft for the U.S.Army are bought through the Air Force or Navy, and would be designated accordingto the purchasing mediator. The U.S. ' Navy are said to be opposed to the pro-jected scheme, since they would have to reorganize their whole designation code. France .".-, .... ••"..- j.-^ ...• _' Potez 75. Well known to Flight readers asa specialized anti-tank aircraft, this twin- boom pusher machine is being adapted asa ground-attack aircraft for colonial use. The conversion was ordered by France'sUnder-Secretary of State for War, and entails the fining of four 7.5 mm guns inthe nose and eight under-wing rocket pro- jectiles, in addition to the guided missilesalready provided for. The seats are pro- tected by armour plates, and a specialpatented device offers additional safety "comparable to the war-time flak suits."The machine is still capable of operating from any type of airstrip. • - - .- GRUMMAN S2F-1 SENTINEL (Two 1,525 h.p. Wright R-1820-82) Span 69ft 8in Length 42ft 3in
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