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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0681.PDF
FLIGHT International, 3 May 1962 679 for anything from 10 to 20hr (as visitors to the 1960 SBAC Display may remember, Shackletons can fly 24hr missions). Un fortunately, this is rather a lot to ask of one aeroplane, and fulfilment of such a specification would undoubtedly demand variable geometry on a large scale. It would probably take about seven years for Britain to put such an aeroplane into squadron service, and the RAF are therefore likely to have to make do with a more conventional machine. As the London newspaper suggests, the best basis upon which to build is the de Havilland Trident, as it appears likely that a much modified version—probably with greatly increased fuel capacity and an even later powerplant—will replace the Shackleton late in the present decade. At the same time, it would be unwise to take it for granted that this course will be followed, and British Aircraft Corporation are certain to be asked to make a proposal before a study contract is placed. Third-generation Hovercraft Speaking after being presented with the Royal Auto mobile Club Diamond Jubilee Trophy by Earl Mountbatten at a dinner at the RAC in London on April 25, Mr C. S. Cockerell appealed for backing for a 100-ton Hovercraft capable of earning a profit commercially. He said that such a craft was the next phase in development and could be designed and built in two years. Multi-nation, Multi-misson As recorded on page 678, the Northrop N-156 is the choice of the US Department of Defense as the replacement for obsolescent F-84s and F-86s of nations receiving US military aid It could be operated at a profit across a stretch of water such as the Solent and would be a "shop window" for the export market. But, he warned, there was a danger if the project was delayed that the United States would overtake Britain in the race. He said that two things were wanted for the project, which he termed "Phase 3" in Hovercraft development. The first was finance and the second the active participa tion and know-how of a substantial operator. "We know," said Mr Cockerel], "that government support is being given to firms in Japan. We know also that Russia claims to have invented the Hover craft." He added that even if the National Research Development Corporation, which had backed the development of the Hover craft, had resources commensurate with its many tasks there would still be the problem of bringing in the expertise of an operator. After the development of the 100-ton craft Mr Cockerell saw the fourth phase as a summer-service Channel ferry and the fifth as a craft capable of all-the-year-round Channel services profitable at fares less than those proposed for the Channel tunnel project. Maj H. A. Petre We record with regret that Major Henry A. Petre, DSO, MC, died on April 24—within a few days of Sir Frederick Handley Page, whose pilot he was at the Military Trials of 1912. He was 77. Maj Petre was founder of the Aus tralian Flying Corps and Central Flying School, in 1913; during the First World War he served in the Australian Flying Corps, RFC and RAF. He set up British glider duration and height records in 1930-31 and in 1951 was awarded the RAeC silver medal for 40 years' flying, mainly as a private pilot. Breguet Atlantic Crash A prototype Breguet 1150 Atlantic crashed in south-west France on the night of April 19 while on a scheduled test flight from Toulouse. The crew of three were killed. Eye-witnesses described an in-flight explosion followed by disintegration in the air. Operation Fleche Placing of the 80ft- high spire on the roof of Coventry Cathedral (World News, last week; and crew photograph, page 716, this issue) being carried out by a Westland Belvedere of 72 Sqn last Thursday. Positioning of a I0ft-high cross was postponed owing to an increase In wind strength Sudan Jet Provost Order A repeat order for a small number of Hunting Jet Provost trainers has been placed by the Sudan. This follows successful introduction into Sudan Air Force service of the initial batch of Mk 51s delivered last autumn. The new order is for Mk 52s, armed version of the T.4 type used by the RAF. Beagle Development Costs A sum of £778,462 for development expenditure by Beagle Aircraft has been written off in the group accounts of the Pressed Steel Co Ltd, whose results for 1961 appeared last week. 49-record Claim Miss Jacqueline Coch ran has claimed 49 records for one flight after flying a Lockheed JetStar from New Orleans to Hanover on April 22. Her main claim is for a women's world record for distance in a straight line by jet, with an average speed of 479.8 m.p.h. over the 2,279 miles between New Orleans and Gander. Allison T63 Shipments Allison Division of General Motors have delivered two YT63-5 turboshaft engines to each of the three companies in the US Army Light Observation Helicopter competition: Bell, Hiller and Hughes Tool. Flight-qualified engines are expected this month. Allison have also shipped an earlier YT63-3 to Bell for an HUL-1M evaluation programme, as well as two YT63-1 turboprop versions to Wright-Patterson AFB for propeller endurance and evaluation testing. A report on this 250 s.h.p. engine appear ed in Flight International for February 15. Bell Helicopter Records Last month submissions were made to the FAI which should lengthen the list of world records held by products of Bell Helicopter Corp. The new figures were set by a US Army 12-seat YHU-1D Iroquois utility helicopter, powered by a 1,100 s.h.p. Lycoming T53-9 free-turbine engine. The records claimed are: April 14, Capt B. B. Buckner, climb to 6,000m (19,685ft) in 5min 51sec (existing record, USAF H-43B); April 14, Lt Col L. F. Wilhelm, climb to 3,000m (9,843ft) in 2min 14.6sec (existing record, USAF H-43B); April 20, Capt W. F. Gurley, 1,000km (621 mile) closed circuit for class E-ld(3,858-6,613.81b), 133.9m.p.h. (existing record, Soviet Mi-1). Capt Gurley's flight comprised two round trips between the Bell plant and Longview, Texas, flown at 10,000ft by night.
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