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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 0688.PDF
660 FLIGHT International, 9 May 1963 W O R L E W S Beagle 206s for the RAF That an order would be placed for 20 Beagle B.206 aircraft for use as a standard communications aeroplane for the RAF was announced last Monday, May 6, by the Minister of Aviation, Mr Julian Amery. This announcement not only marks the end of a long and hard-fought compe tition but it is also one of vital significance to Beagle Aircraft Ltd. It is common know ledge that the financial results of the Pressed Steel Company—of whom Beagle are a subsidiary—have lately been such that Beagle's very existence in its present form has been in jeopardy. The Minister's decision provides the foundation which will enable the company to launch the B.206 as a firm production programme. The aircraft ordered for the RAF will be essentially similar to the B.206Y now flying, although they will carry extremely comprehensive equipment— Beagle's managing director, Mr Peter Mase- field, describes it as "almost as much as a VC10"—for all-weather operation in all parts of the world. Manufacture of the 206 will be under taken largely within Beagle's factories, although, after obtaining quotations from practically the whole British aircraft in dustry, the company have subcontracted manufacture of wings to Bolton Paul Air craft Ltd at Wolverhampton. Assembly will take place at either the Shoreham or the Rearsby works. It would appear logical for the RAF ulti mately to have more than the 20 aircraft now ordered. Nevertheless, Beagle have always viewed the civil market as poten tially far larger, and the establishment of production now enables firm delivery dates and prices to be quoted. Fully equipped, apart from radio and autopilot, the air craft is priced at £35,000. Second T.188 Flies The second T.188 research aircraft made its first flight on April 29 from the Filton airfield of British Aircraft Corporation, with Godfrey Auty, chief test pilot of Bristol Aircraft Ltd, at the controls. The aircraft was airborne for 30min, and afterwards Mr Auty reported that the flight had been entirely satisfactory. Apart from minor changes in inslru- The beagle 206Y, basis of the MoA order for the RAF announced in the first news item mentation, the second aircraft (XF 926) is identical with the first (XF 923). It has been designed and built, under MoA contract, for research into flight conditions at high supersonic speeds. Both aircraft will now be available, as required, to meet the needs of the flight- research programme. The low-speed stage of the programme has now been completed, and the aircraft has shown excellent hand ling characteristics. During this phase, the complex airborne and ground research instrumentation has been extensively tested and proved satisfactory. Transall Handed Over On May 4 at Istres, M Pierre Messmer. French Minister of the Armed Forces, handed over to Herr von Hassel, the West German Defence Minister, the French- assembled first prototype of the Transall C.I60. This aircraft, assembled by Nord- Aviation, will be joined later this month by C. 160.02, assembled in Germany. Jackie Cochran's New Records Lockheed Aircraft announce that Jacque line Cochran has won back from France (Jacqueline Auriol) the women's world speed record over a 100km closed course. Flying Lockheed's own TF-104G from Edwards AFB on May 1, Miss Cochran recorded an FAT-observed speed of 1,203.94 m.p.h. On April 12 she had beaten her own record over the 15/25km straight course—which involves "threading the needle" by radar at over 30,000ft—with a speed of 1,273.10 m.p.h. March UK Exports The value of exports by the British air craft industry during March is stated by the Board of Trade to have amounted to £9,817,230, compared with £8,459,446 in March last year. Sales of engines and parts again made up the largest part of the total. amounting to £5,613,266. Other exports were as follows, aircraft and parts. £3,836,025; aeronautical instruments, £271,415, and tyres. £96.524. The largest engine customer was West Germany, spending £1.176.425. Australia was the biggest customer for aircraft (£639,756). Lord Gorell We record with regret that Lord Gorell. CBE, MC, a former Under-Secretary of State for Air (1921-22) and for two periods (1932-35 and 1944-46) chairman of the Royal Aero Club, died last week aged 78. i sjaw *****- 1 mm?M9m*wmm<t
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