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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1322.PDF
472 FLIGHT FARNBOROUGH WEEK . . . fuselage just ahead of the jet-pipe orifices. The undercarriage hasMaxaret-fitted brakes. Optimism concerning the weather was again out of place onWednesday, when the forecast included "prospect of fog." The flying programme was changed to a bad-weather routine, withthe R.A.F. formation teams taking advantage of the improved conditions towards the end of the afternoon. The Victor, aswell as the Britannia, had been deleted from the list of aircraft appearing, while the Fairey Delta demonstration was on this daya solo turn by Peter Twiss. Following the display, one of the members of the Soviet AirForce delegation, led by Chief Marshal of Aviation P. F. Zhigarev, flew in the Hunter T.7 trainer with Bill Bedford, Hawker chieftest pilot. He was Lt.-Gen. Alexei Blagoveshchensky, a senior Air Force test pilot and commandant of a Soviet flying school.After a trial circuit, the General took over for a second take-off, circuit and landing; and the subsequent flight included a super-sonic dive over the sea. Special permission for the flight, the Hawker company stated, had been obtained from the Ministryof Supply. Rain fell once more on Thursday morning, but conditions weregood enough for the flying programme to proceed in the afternoon. An unusualincident involving the Folland Gnat oc- curred as "Dick" Whittington was bring-ing the agile machine in to land after his display. On touching down he streamedhis braking parachute, which scooped up water from one of the large puddles whichcovered the runway. The added weight on the tail, together with the crosswind,caused the aircraft to skid and to veer on to the grass at the side of the runway.Whittington was unhurt and the Gnat was undamaged. A three-day spell of English weatheralmost at its worst had greeted overseas guests to the 1956 S.B.A.C. Display andExhibition. The flying demonstrations had been viewed through a wet and murkyscreen, from a wet and muddy field, yet they had impressed. Orders announcedduring the trade days had included nine Vickers Viscounts (for the Braziliangovernment, Lloyd Aereo Colambianoj P.L.U.N.A. of Uruguay, and T.C.A.),bringing Viscount orders up to 356; a number of Twin Pioneers for the Ministryof Supply; and two Westland Widgeons for Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. In addition, (Centre, right) One of the rare moments of tranquillity during the Westland helicopter act, showing the Whirlwind between the two Widgeons. (Right) A study in area rule, pro- vided by the mighty Super marine N.I 13.
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