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Aviation History
1957
1957 - 0765.PDF
7 June 1957 771 Twin-jet liner, Russian style: the Tupo/ev tu-104. from Czechoslovakia. But in the hands of one Blaha it differsfrom the general run of trainers in going through its aerobatic repertoire in attitudes the reverse of normal. A tough, obliginglittle aeroplane: a superb pilot: a heart-tripping performance— but sufficient negative g for the moment. The Max Holste Broussard, Potez 75 and Scottish AviationTwin Pioneer are less given to cartwheels and handstands. They are what one might call multi-purpose specialists with responsiblejobs. The blue-and-white Broussard (pilot Jouannet) is fitted out for agricultural work; the drab, sober "75" (Detre) impresses byits staunch dependability (it is intended, indeed, for police duties in colonial service); but the Twin Pioneer is conducted by RoySmith more like a Paris taxi than the big station wagon, or small bus, which the Mclntyres of Prestwick intended it should be.There is nothing like it at Le Bourget, nor (it is pleasant to reflect) elsewhere. Here, now, are Andre Movnet in the H.D.34 and Ian Forbesin the H.D.M.105, putting on a sort of Box-and-Cox act which is subtle, telling propaganda for the richly promising ultra-high-aspect formula. This attentuated pair of aerodynes would hardly be out of place at Lasham; except that every now and then theH.D.34 reminds one quite definitely that it does have engines. New, and not-so-new—Dutch and Russo-Czech—approachesto the fast-resolving feederliner problem are the Fokker Friendship and Avia 14: which is not to imply that the Avia is a has-been.(Far from it, as colleague Lambert will testify next week.) Both pilots are in frisky form. Burgerhout takes the Friendship over thevertical against a dead Dart (killed at take-off) and Kaustik gives the scenery a good going over after a short-field departure. Hetouches down and brakes with such determination that he blows one of the four main tyres. Behold, now, a wheeling silver vision—the Britannia 301. Britannia the beautiful, the silent, the magnificent. She passes byand France pays homage. That is the simple, evident truth; and there is nothing more to say.Something of that same "big-liner" stateliness is seen now in the Leonides-Herald; but liner or not, "Hazel" shows that thereis nothing fine and fancy about this aeroplane. It snaps to the job—sharp. No fuss. No frills. Vallette, in the Marbort-boosted U.A.T. Noratlas (Nord 2502)gets off well with full traction and thrust, cuts a Hercules and con- tinues with "two burnin' and one tumin' " till touchdown. Then,as Wally Gibb sets the Britannia down, we hear a most curious sound from the opposite end of the runway. In no time a swarmof beating, whirling, flapping, chugging, flailing helicopters is upon us. Seven Djinns in the lead—or is it eight? The elegant Gouver-neur skating swiftly beneath. Eight Alouettes. Check. An 3-55, an S-58, and the two big Vertols bringing up the rear. There isa scrambling, wheeling into file, a rushing, shuffling by, and again silence. Glossy white, black-beaked, wing-tanked, thunderously quak-ing with power, a Valiant takes off like a great sea bird. A slow run past; a second—then forward go the throttles, back comesthe stick, up goes the nose, back stream dark Avon-trails, and up, up, up, goes the pride of Bomber Command. Now, whatever people may be saying, we have seen that Britainreally is at Paris; and here is Bill Bedford in the blue and grey Hunter T.7 to remove any doubt about it. The Avon blasts andscreams at five-figure thrust. The Dunlop "anchors" are held fast-on; then abruptly snapped off. Off goes the Hunter like anarrow, up, and out of sight. Confused and half-stunned, a hare goes leaping over the grass. The pompiers of the crash-crewsare just abandoning their calling for that of chasseurs, when, with- out warning, their hard-pressed quarry receives the disconcerting Twin-jet liner, French style: the S.E. Caravelle. A cockpit commentary was transmitted over the public-address system.
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