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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 0710.PDF
Stub J3S Drakett. MILITARY AIRCRAFT 195* Fighters SINGLE-SEAT, LAND-BASED the part of the pilot or ground controller, but to inaccuracy or mal-functioning of the fire-control system. The low scores indicated that this remained a considerable problem. "As weapons go," added thecommander, "this is still awfully new. We're still in the process tactically of learning to walk with it." The F-86D (Sabre "Dog") differs from others of its breed in havingthe scanning equipment mounted in the nose beneath a dielectric failing; a beard-type intake for its General Electric J47-GE-33 turbojet(nearly 8,000 lb thrust with afterburning), a slab-type tailplane without dihedral (on the later models); and a clamshell type cockpit canopy.A "parabrake" is standard equipment. Engine control is entirely automatic, relieving the pilot of all worry over such factors as tailpipetemperature and compressor stall, irrespective of the manner in which he handles the engine. Equipment includes LL.S., a Lear autopilot, automatic directionfinder and either an omni-range radio or Sperry Zero Reader. A com- paratively recent addition is an automatic landing system which couplesthe I.L.S. to the autopilot and permits the aircraft to be brought to within 50ft of the ground without the pilot touching the controls.First-hand examination of an F-86D discloses references to command radio, VHF/UHF antenna, servo control, flight data computer, CSTIequipment, angle of attack computer, rocket computor, marker beacon antenna, rocket temperature correction potentiometer, tape recorderand VHF navigation receiver. Span, 37ft lin; length, 41ft Sin; gross weight, more than 18,000 Ib;maximum speed, over 700 m.p.h.; service ceiling, over 4Sft00fl. North American F-86F Sabre After production for the U.S.A.F.had ceased this fighter/bomber was reinstated on the lines, to the extent of a further 500 machines, for export to NATO countries.Powered with a General Electric J47-GE-27 engine of 5,800 Ib thrust, and having anti-icing provisions, its overall dimensions are slightlylarger than those of its forerunner, the "E," and it weighs about 17,000 lb all-up. Gun armament is 6 x 0.5in, and provision is madefor external stores totalling 2,000 lb. (See also under "Ground Attack.") Span, 37ft lin; length, 37ft 6m. North American F-WH Sabre An advanced single-seat day fighteror fighter/bomber variant of the Sabre, the F-86H has the General Electric J73-GE-3 turbojet of 9,300 lb thrust, and is armed, in its lateiproduction forms, with four 20 mm M-39 revolver cannon (earlier variants had six 0.5in M-3 guns). Production began late in 1952 andmany hundreds are in service. It has been reported that a scheme for augmenting the thrust of the J73 by burning fuel in the enginetailpipe in conjunction with a variable-area nozzle is being considered. Gross weight is over 20,000 lb. North American F-86K Sabre The "K" variant of the F-86 is anall-weather fighter, essentially similar to the F-86D and manufactured not only by the North American parent company but in Italy also(by Fiat). Italian orders total 176. The engine is a General Electric J47-GE-33 with afterburner, but instead of the now-familiar MightyMouse rocket pack there are four 20 mm guns. The fire-control system is designated MG-4 and permits not only accurate firing of the gunsbut can be used as a navigational aid also. It provides the pilot with information which enables him to locate airborne targets, select aparticular target and fly an accurate lead-pursuit course, which keeps the aircraft pointed slightly ahead of the target. It indicates the rangeof the target so that he can "determine the maximum firing range for his 20 mm guns," and the suggested "pull-out" time, at which point (in thewords of a North American statement) die pilot should initiate manoeuvres to conclude the attack. In addition, the system is said toinclude "beacon interrogation and ground-mapping facilities" for use as navigational aids. When ground-beacon stations are interrogated a coded response is received, which is displayed on the pilot's radar scope.Interrogation is accomplished when the radar in the aircraft transmits a signal which "triggers" the beacon, causing it to respond according toits code. The pilot can then identify the beacon station and determine his position by reading the azimuth and range information on his radarscope. Group-map operation (again we quote North American) "pro- vides navigational information by presenting a map-like pattern of theterrain on (he radar scope. Cities, lakes, rivers, mountains and coastal areas are usually recognizable." A recent picture of Soviet "Farmer" tighten. Span, 37ft lin; length, 42ft 4m; gross weight with external tanks,20,347 lb; gross weight clean, 18£00 Ib; speed, over 650 m.p.h.; combat radius, about 500 miles; service ceiling, over 4Sft00ft.North American F-100C Saper Sabre The Super Sabre was the first operational aircraft in the world capable of supersonic speed inlevel or climbing flight. Classed by the U.S.A.F. as a fighter/bomber, the F-100C now forms the equipment of several squadrons and isapparently considered primarily as an attack weapon. It is nevertheless basically a fighter and commands attention under this heading. Itdiffers from the F-100A (still in service, and the subject of a very detailed description in Flight of May 20th, 1955) in having a stifferwing, capable of carrying a great variety of stores and in its provision for in-flight refuelling. Later machines will be adapted for the "buddy""system of air refuelling, which enables one F-100 to take fuel from another of the same type. The buddy aircraft trails a hose and droguefrom an external pod under the wing and on completion of refuelling the entire equipment is automatically rehoused within the pod. The following description applies basically to the F-100 A and C.The wing has a leading-edge sweep of 45 deg and incorporates an unusual form of lateral control, the ailerons being mounted well inboard,over the greater part of the trailing edge, in the position normally occupied by the flaps. Thus, with the type of wing chosen, insufficientflap surfaces could be fitted to justify their inclusion at all. In view of this fact it was decided to fit full-span automatic leading-edge slats (notflaps or a drooping leading edge, but true Handley Page skits), and their
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