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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0990.PDF
56FLIGHT, 8 July 1960 Westland Westminster Westland (Saunders-Roe) Wasp Vickers-Supermarine Scimitar F.I MILITARY AIRCRAFT OF THE WORLD . . . Short Britannic 3A This is the version of the Britannic which isbeing developed for RAF Transport Command. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce Tyne RTy.12 turboprops each developing 5,730 e.h.p. andthe design philosophy behind an aircraft of this type is summarized by the makers in the following terms:— "Design of a freighter aircraft begins with the fuselage, and the size andshape of this are dictated by the need to carry a really substantial payload and to accommodate the most awkward and bulky types of cargo. A fuselageconditioned by this requirement is not suited to really high jet speeds. More- over, for any given job, a jet-powered aircraft must be 30 to 40 per cent largerthan one using propellers—since it must carry a vastly greater quantity of fuel— and will be proportionately more expensive. Development costs must inevitablybe far greater and in the civil field such an aircraft will be hopelessly uneconomic, except conceivably on a few routes in the USA where freighttraffic can be guaranteed and utilization kept abnormally high." The Britannic 3A will carry its capacity payload of 85,0001b over1,150 miles at 340 m.p.h. with 20 per cent fuel reserves, and with its capacity fuel load of 81,2001b it will carry 25,0001b of payload over5,050 miles at 340 m.p.h., again with reserves. There is a large ramp door at the rear and a large loading door on the port side at the forwardend of the hold. Including the rear ramp the hold is 80ft long, has a maximum height of 13ft 9in, a floor width of 12ft, and a maximumwidth of 16ft. A removable floor enables an upper deck to be added over any section forward of the wing and also—in special cases—at therear. Overall cargo space of rectangular section is 10,000 cu ft, and the curve of the fuselage walls provides additional stowage. A total of 201troops—153 on the lower deck and 48 on the upper—can be carried in six-abreast seats. With the rear loading ramp open in the level positionsupplies can be rapidly parachuted and for this purpose a roller- conveyor system is installed. Typical loads would comprise two25-pounder guns, a 1-ton truck and miscellaneous freight; or two J-ton trucks, a scout car and miscellaneous palletized equipment. Span, 158/t 9in; length, 136ft 5in. Short VTO Projects The possibilities of vertical take-off and landing(by means of jet lift) are being very actively investigated by Short Brothers & Harland Ltd as the outcome of their unique experiencewith the SC.l research aircraft, fully described—and discussed by Mr H. G. Conway, joint deputy managing director and chief engineer—in Flight of June 10. Mention was made on that occasion of the Rolls- Royce RB.153 engine, said in France to have a thrust of 4,9601b, and,according to British reports, having a thrust/weight ratio of 16 : 1. Our discussion read: "This powerplant has been chosen by Short & Harlandfor a number of design studies. Such a machine would have supersonic capability but would spend most of its life at around M0.9 at lowaltitudes. The dead weight in cruise of the lift engines would be largely, if not entirely, counteracted by the diminutive size of the wing, rudi-mentary undercarriage, reduced drag, need for less diversion fuel, and by several other factors. Aircraft of this type could be deployed inquantity in seven to eight years. It is Short's view that the stabilization system would account for some 18 per cent of the cost of any aircraft ofthis type." A Short design study for a strike aircraft was depicted. This had four tip-mounted dual-purpose engines, supplemented by a batteryof hit engines in the forward fuselage. Vickers-Supennarine Scimitar This twin-A von carrier-borne fighter/bomber is thoroughly established in Fleet Air Arm service. Built-in armament is four 30mm Aden guns and there are four universal pylonsbeneath the wing for the carriage of 200gal drop-tanks or any type of weapon up to 2,0001b per pylon. Approach speed is reduced by com-pressor-bled air blown from spanwise slots over the top of the flaps. Blowing starts automatically when the flaps are lowered more than 10°.Some flying and carrier deck impressions by a Scimitar pilot were printed in our issue of April 15 last. Among his observations was the following: — "One of the more impressive sights at sea today is that of a Scimitarsquatting at an attitude of 12° on the catapult, waiting to be launched. Pilots accustomed to the less extreme habits of Sea Hawks and Venoms understand-ably tend to view the whole performance with some apprehension at first. However, it looks more forbidding than it feels and the launch given by steamboosters is considerably smoother than was available with the earlier hydraulic systems." Span, 37ft 2in; length, 56ft 2in. TSR.2 A contract for the development of this tactical support andreconnaissance aircraft (two advanced Bristol Siddeley Olympus) was placed with Vickers-Armstrongs who were to share the work on a 50-50basis with English Electric. Both firms are now members of the British Aircraft Corporation. It has been stated that the aircraft will have aradius of action of at least 1,000 miles, that it will be equipped with very advanced navigating and bombing equipment, and that it will takeoff on operational missions using as little as 600 yards of runway. In recent weeks it has been reported that the project has been the subjectof a reappraisal. Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant This four-Avon bomber continues infirst-line RAF service. Among the most notable operational develop- ments is the incorporation of Flight Refuelling equipment.Vickers-Armstrongs VC10 There is a likelihood that this four- Conway airliner may be developed as a military transport, and possiblyalso as a launching vehicle, for Sky Bolt missiles. A Super VC10 was described in Flight last week. Westland Helicopters The development and production of Fairey,Bristol and Saunders-Roe helicopters is now in the hands of Westland Aircraft Ltd, and the addition of these machines to the Westland rangeoffers a military-helicopter potential unequalled by any other company in the world. The essential characteristics of the entire Westland familyof helicopters were given in our special "Helicopters of the World" number dated May 27. The Skeeter (D.H. Gipsy Major) is standardized by Britain's ArmyAir Corps and is employed as an air observation post. The RAF has adopted the type for training. Provision is made for two stretchersmounted externally. The Widgeon (Alyis Leonides) is offered as a trainer, ambulance,search and rescue aircraft, and for anti-submarine detection, using a detachable pack containing sonar gear. The Wasp, to be powered in its production version by the BlackburnNimbus free turbine, is another helicopter with excellent military multi- purpose potential, e.g., reconnaissance, liaison, rescue, shore-based orseaborne weapon carrier, casualty evacuation, transport or turbine train- ing. Guns, rockets or wire-guided missiles can be carried, and navalstores such as mines or homing torpedoes may be attached beneath the fuselage. The Whirlwind (at present with Alvis Leonides Major and ultimatelywith de Hayilland Gnome) is another multi-purpose type for which the following military duties are listed: transport for ten passengers; winchrescue with an hydraulically powered hoist, lifting two people; anti- submarine operations, carrying either submarine search equipment or astrike weapon; ambulance work, carrying six stretchers and a medical attendant; freight duties with a 2,0001b lift on an external sling; towingships or ground equipment. The Gnome-engined Whirlwind offers higher payloads or additional fuel for longer range and "high and hot"performance will be notably improved. The Wessex 1 (Napier Gazelle) is already in quantity production asan anti-submarine helicopter for the Royal Navy but has demonstrated other military capabilities, notably as a crane-transporter. Advancedsearch equipment and strike weapons, including homing torpedoes, are specified.Picture, page 51. The Wessex 2, now in the project stage, will have two de HavillandGnome shaft turbines and is being considered by the RAF and the Royal Navy. The Belvedere (two Napier Gazelle) is in full production for theRAF. Intended roles are military engineering, casualty evacuation, troop transport, strategic and tactical logistics, assault, paratrooping, rescueand combat. In the last-named role soldiers could be carried into action and the Belvedere could then function as an observation and reconnais-sance post or as a fighting craft, armed with guns or rockets or guided weapons. Picture, page 51. Two prototypes of the Westminster (two Napier Eland) are flyingwith a view to proving the characteristics of machines of this type in the heavy duty role. The makers state, "With a disposable load ofsome 14,0001b the Westminster meets the requirements for a large military transport helicopter able to carry heavy field equipment, atomicand nuclear weapons, and troops over stages of 150 n.m. or more." The military potential of the Rotodyne (two Rolls-Royce Tyne) issummarized as follows :— "It is vital for the Army to shed some of the present load on its supply lines.While the supply chain remains on the ground it is vulnerable, slow and wasteful of manpower. Let us see in more detail what this revolutionary aircraftcan do for the soldier. Suppose that 500 tons of supplies—fuel, ammunition, food and so on—have to be brought up urgently to the forward area from basedepots 100 miles to the rear. The speed of ordinary road transport would be slow, especially when the likelihood of obstacles and traffic congestion, and theneed to move tactically under war conditions, are taken into account. A column of 166 three-ton lorries would be needed to move 500 tons of supplies. If theconvoy averaged 10 miles an hour, and the road was as straight as the crow flies, it would take ten hours to reach the forward area. In those ten hoursnine Rotodynes could do the whole job. Each Rotodyne would have time to make six round trips, carrying a load of 20,0001b each time, while the lorrieswere still on their way ..."
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