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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0995.PDF
Chance Vought F8U-2N MILITARY AIRCRAFT OF THE WORLD . . . F-106B (which first flew on April 9, 1958) seats pilot and navigator, orinstructor and pupil, in tandem. Span, 38f£ 3in; length, 70ft 8Jm; height, 20ft 3m; gross weight,approximately 35,OOOib; max speed, more than 1,550 m.p.h. (M2.35); service ceiling, more than 50,000/f; combat radius, 500 miles. Convair NX-2 The US Air Force began to study atomic-poweredaircraft in 1948. Over $l,000m have now been spent on powerplant research, enabling the basic design of an NPB (nuclear-powered bomber)to be drawn up. Such a specification was first issued five years ago as WS-125A, but the decision to go ahead with an aeroplane has onlyrecently been taken. Preliminary details of the NX-2 were released last month, and the announcement of the formal contract with Convairis imminent. Optimum configuration is that of a high-subsonic canard, with twoGeneral Electric X-211 turbojets mounted on either side of a direct-cycle reactor forming an integral package (probably weighing about 200,0001b)which can be unbolted from the rear of the fuselage as a single "hot" unit. About 1,0001b of shielding will protect the crew in the extremenose. Chief problems of the open-cycle engine are shielding and the high temperature needed, and ceramics are being intensively investigatedto meet the latter requirement. It is likely that only one NX-2 will initially be built, and that it will be used as a test-bed both for the X-211and for Pratt & Whitney's indirect-cycle powerplant. The sketch (over- leaf) and data are provisional. Span, about 220ft; length, about 140ft; weight empty, at least450,000/b; gross weight, at least 500,OOOJb; operating speed, about M0.85 at 35,OOOft; mission endurance, 125hr about 750,000 miles);operating life between major overhauls not less than l,OOOJir. Convair TF-102A Although retaining the same armament and fire-control as the F-102A, the TF version has an entirely new nose accom- modating two side-by-side with dual control. A total of 111 were builtfor use as combat-proficiency trainers. Data are generally the same as for the intercepter, except for the reduced length of 59ft 2in. Douglas A3D Skywarrior Produced for the US Navy by the com-pany's El Segundo Division, the Skywarrior joined the fleet on March 30,1956, and is now widely used. The A3D-2 three-seat bomberis powered by two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 engines (12,4001b with water injection) and has a radar-laid twin-20mm tail barbette, andalmost any USN airborne store can be carried in the bomb bay. Other versions in service are the A3D-2P (photographic), the -2Q (electroniccountermeasures) and the -2T bomber-trainer; the Q and the T both have a pressurized fuselage, respectively seating seven and eight. Thebomber version can carry a 1,083 Imp gal transfer-fuel tank. Picture, page 45. Span, 72ft 6in; length, 76ft 4in; height, 22ft 4m; wing area, 680 sq ft;weight empty, 39,760/b; gross weight, 73,0001b (maximum, 84,000Zb); internal fuel, 3,651 Imp gal; max speed, 610 m.p.h.; service ceiling,43,000/t; range, 2,000 miles. Douglas A4D Skyhawk Designed at El Segundo as an exceptionallysmall and cleverly engineered carrier attack aircraft, the A4D-1 flew in June 1954, and deliveries to the US Navy started in October 1956.Powered by a Wright J65-W-4 (7,200lb), these aircraft have a wing made as a single integral tank from tip to tip and provided with largeslats. There are four underwing pylons and shackles for a heavy store on the centreline, so that the main wheels have to retract into the wingsin a forwards direction. The pilot has a lightweight ejector seat in the nose and further fuel is carried throughout the fuselage. Armamentcomprises two 20mm guns in the wing roots and 5,0001b of external stores, including Bullpup and Corvus. Minor improvements, particu-larly to the control system, characterize the A4D-2, which was fully described in our issue of March 7, 1958.A photograph illustrates the current production A4D-2N, the first all-weather version (data below). Initially flown in 1958, the 2N hasa J65-W-16A (7,7001b), and more advanced electronic equipment in the lengthened nose provides greatly improved all-weather and naviga-tion capability. Pressure-fuelling is incorporated and, like the earlier versions, the 2N can carry a "buddy" refuelling pack and removableprobe. Contracts amount to $232m, extending production through 1961. Picture, page 45. Span, 27ft bin; length, 40ft 1 Jin; height, 15/t 2m; wing area, 260 sq ft;weight empty, 9,5591b; gross weight, 25,OOO2b (17,294Jb clean); internal fuel, 666 Imp gal; max speed, 676 m.p.h. at sea level; range, 1,300 miles. Douglas B-66 Destroyer Derived from the A3D, the B-66 wasevolved by the company's Long Beach Division, initially as a three-seat bomber for the USAF Tactical Air Command. Its versatility is con-siderable and the following were the major versions produced; all have two Allison J71-A-11 or A-13 turbojets (10,2001b) and most have a GEelectronic fire-control for a twin-20mm tail barbette. The B-66B carries 10,0001b of bombs internally. The RB-66B is a standard tacticalreconnaissance aircraft and the RB-66C is a special-purpose (electronics and countermeasures) machine, with a crew of four. The final versionwas the WB-66D weather-reconnaissance aircraft. Data: B-66B. Span, 72ft din; length, 75ft 2m; height, 23ft 7in; wing area, 780 sq ft;weight empty, 42,086/b; gross weight, 78,OOO2b (maximum, 83,000Zb); internal fuel, 3,872 Imp gal; max speed, 620 m.p.h.; range, 1,750 miles. Douglas C-133 Cargomaster A total of 50 of these huge cargo aircrafthas been bought for the Military Air Transport Service, and the Douglas plant at Long Beach has delivered about 40. The first 35 areC-133As, with a gross weight of 275,0001b and 7,000 e.h.p. Pratt & Whitney T34-P-7W rurboprops. A full description of these aircraft waspublished in our September 26, 1958, issue. The final 15 are of the improved C-133B version, with 7,500 e.h.p. engines, increased weightand structural changes to ease the loading of the Atlas ICBM. These aircraft are now capable of handling every Western missile. One of theearlier A versions has flown with a freight load of 117,9001b. Span, 179ft Sin; length, 157ft 6\in; height, 48/f; wing area, 2,673 sq ft;weight empty, 116,1911b; gross weight, 286,000/b; internal fuel, 15,081 Imp gal; max speed, 359 m.p.h.; range, 4,000 miles with 55,OOOIb payloadat 323 m.p.h. Douglas F4D Skyray First deliveries of this bat-winged intercepterwere made to the US Navy in 1956, and a modest number are now in service as fighter/bombers operating from carriers and, with the MarineCorps, from shore bases. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8B (15,0001b with afterburner), the Skyray has good performance at altitude.Armament comprises four 20mm guns in the wings, used in conjunction with Westinghouse radar fire-control; there are six wing pylons for upto 2,0001b of stores, usually Sidewinders and spin-stabilized rockets. Span, 33ft 6m; length, 45ft 83m; height, 13ft; wing area, 557 sq ft; empty weight, 16,024Zb; gross weight, 27,000lb; internal fuel, 533 Imp gal; max speed, 720 m.p.h.; at sea level; initial climb, 18,000/t/min; service ceiling, 55,000ft; range, 950 miles.
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