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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 0603.PDF
18 May 1956 BIRD IN HAND: Already in service is the Hughes Falcon missile, subject of discussion between Sir John Baker (left). Controller (Air- craft), M.o.S., and Hughes' Mr. Robert J. Shank. GEORGIA ON HER MIND: Homeward bound for Marietta, Georgia, after climatic tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is this Lockheed C-130A Hercules transport. Following a change to Aeroproducts airscrews, the same machine will fly to El Centro, California, tor further tests, and later this year will be transferred to Alaska. necessary. Decision and positive action are needed immediately. Everysensible means of expanding British air transport operations, in the civil field and in the Fighting Services as well, should be most activelyexploited. The opportunity is with us now. To let it go by default may result in an historic set-back to British strength, trade and all-roundprosperity. Air power and commercial well-being are one." Mr. Nixon's report, in the section devoted to engines, reveals that the output now being obtained from the Gyron is "a formid- able figure far above the initial approval rating, and much higher still with reheat. We believe it to be the most powerful engine flying today. This part of the report continues: — "A great deal of the information gained from the Gyron has mean-while been embodied in the Gyron Junior, announced last summer, repeating the formula in a way that makes it now available in convenientmultiples of power for versatility of installation. The background of Gyron knowledge has enabled us to get the Gyron Junior out on testquickly. Less than a year from the issuing of the first drawings it passed the qualifying test of the development contract. "The Engine Company is taking a leading part in the development ofrocket power for aircraft, both for assisted take-off and for high-speed flight. Our conception of a take-off rocket engine, developed as theSuper Sprite, was the first British liquid-propellant rocket engine to be type approved. It is now in production for the Vickers Valiant bomber. "Meanwhile we have been making headway with a more powerfulrocket designed to partner turbines like those of the Gyron family for supersonic flight at very great altitude. This larger rocket engine iscalled the Spectre and is entering the flight-test phase which is planned for this year. A variant of this engine can also be made available fortake-off assistance. In general our rocket progress is full of promise, and doubtless this field will increasingly engage our productive capacity." A particularly interesting feature of the report is the series of four diagrams presenting data on "the advance in performance of aircraft, engines and propellers." Regarding the first-named, the respective speeds of the D.H.108, Venom and D.H.110 are given as—very roughly—650, 600 and 700 m.p.h.; and the horse-power/ weight ratios of the Ghost 48, Gyron and Gyron Junior are given —equally approximately—as 3.9, 7 and 10. Presumably the latter numbers are based upon thrust multiplied by air-speed. Aerial Bank HolidayY EADON, near Leeds; Speke, Liverpool; and Hucknall, Notts; these three airfields will be the scene of special air activity on Whit Monday, May 21. At Yeadon, the first two rounds of the National Air Races are being flown. The first round takes place between 10.30 and 11.35 a.m. In the afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m., there will be, in addition to the second round, a large-scale air display. The Programme will include the 43 Sqn. Hunter aerobatic team; the U-S.A.F. "Acrojets" team (Lockheed T-33s); and a formation of Mysteres from the French Air Force. Mile. Andre Jan will Perform on a trapeze below an Agusta-Bell helicopter, and the Sipa Minijet will be demonstrated. Visiting aircraft must arrive between 8.45 and 10.15 a.m. or 12.06 and 1.45 p.m., and must not leave before the programme ends at about 5.30 p.m. Public admission prices are: adults, 2s 6d; children under 12, Is; car parking within the airfield, £1 including occupants; parking outside, 5s. Pilots and aircraft in the four races are as follows: —S.B.A.C. Cup.—J. N. Somers (Somers-Kendall S.K.I), F. Dunkerley (Sparrowjet), R. R. Paine (Hawk Speed Six), S/L. J. Rush (Falcon Six),G. C. Marler (Falcon Six), A. S. K. Paine (Proctor 1), E. Crabtree (Proctor 3), W/C. R. H. Mclntosh (Proctor 3). Osram Cup.—P. Blamire (Gemini la), E. Crabtree (Gemini 3),T. G. Knox (Proctor 3), E. N. Husbands (Proctor 1), A. Barker (Proctor 3), J. N. Somers (Chipmunk), J. R. Johnston (Hawk Trainer 3),J. E. G. Appleyard (Chilton D.W.la). Kemsley Trophy.—A. J. Spiller (Messenger 2a), C. Gregory (Taylor-craft Plus D), W. P. Bowles (Monarch), J. H. Denyer (Autocrat), J. M. Donald (Tiger Moth), B. J. Snook (Tiger Moth), S/L. D. P. Boulnois(Tiger Moth), J. G. Lovegrove (Tiger Moth). Goodyear Trophy.—Miss A. Windle (Miles Whitney Straight), M. J.Marshall (Tiger Moth), W. H. Bailey (Moth Minor Coupe), D. F. Ogilvy (Comper Swift), Hon. P. Vanneck (Tiger Moth), N. D. Norman(Tiger Moth), F/O. A. G. Oldham (Tiger Moth), N. H. Jones (Tiger Moth). Reserve: H. B. lies (Miles M. 18/2). At the Speke display, organized by the S.S.A.F.A., the pro-gramme will include Leo Valentin, the French "birdman," who will perform a glide from 9,000ft; the French Minijet is to appear;the U.S.A.F. Skyblazers will be in the programme; and there will be a parachutists' race, in which the two competitors will makedelayed drops from the same aircraft and endeavour to make a spot-landing on the airfield. Flying begins at 2 p.m. The R.A.F.A.'s Hucknall display, beginning at 2.30 p.m. willhave No. 43 Squadron, the Skyblazers, and also other noteworthy aerobatic contributions. U.S.A.F. Stations Open TOMORROW, Saturday, May 19, is United States ArmedA Forces Day, and a number of U.S.A.F. stations in this country will be open to the public. The theme this year is to be "Partnersfor Peace" and at ten of the bases R.A.F. aircraft will be seen alongside those of the U.S.A.F. Aircraft will be on view at thefollowing places: Berkshire: Greenham Common, nr. Newbury. Huntingdonshire: Molesworth. Lancashire: Burtonwood. Lin-colnshire: Sturgate. Norfolk: Sculthorpe. Oxfordshire: Upper Heyford. Suffolk: Bentwaters, Mildenhall, Shepherd's Grove.Scotland: Prestwick. We understand there is no prohibition of photo- graphy at these stations. No flying demonstrations will take place.A number of other U.S.A.F. establishments of various kinds, but without aircraft, will also be open. These are as follows:Bedfordshire: Chicksands. Berkshire: Shellingford. Buckingham- shire: Denham Studios. Cambridgeshire: Wimpole Park Hospital.Dorsetshire: Shaftesbury. Gloucestershire: Fairford. Middlesex: Bushy Park and West Drayton. Oxfordshire: Brize Norton.Wiltshire: Burderop Park Hospital. Yorkshire: Holme.
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