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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 1209.PDF
FLIGHT International, 11 July 1963 35 Mtta STOL"at~Northolt The~jemarkable Breguet 941 takes off for one of its many demonstration flights last week at Northolt. Progress and handling are described below and on page 37 Some of these were supplied to the US Army as the H-32 and in 1957 the Army financed a study of turbine engines operat ing on a whirling rotor. Since then Hiller has continued tip- turbojet research primarily with its own capital. In 1958 Hiller teamed up with Continental, since the latter's turbojets were adaptable for tip mounting. In 1961, Hiller joined with Williams Research Co, and successfully whirled the small Williams turbojet on a test stand (believed to be the first time a turbojet ran at the tip of a rotating blade). Bolkow/Vertol Agreement A non-exclusive technical-assistance agreement is announced between Bolkow- Entwicklungen KG, of Munich, and Boeing's Vertol division, of Morton, Pennsylvania. The agreement provides for engineering collaboration in the field of advanced rotary-wing development, with exchange visits to accomplish "familiar ization, technical training and evaluation of each company's products." Indians at Bitteswell Last Saturday, July 6, the Indian Minister of Supply, Mr J. L. Hathi, accompanied by Mr S. S. Jaggia (Director-General, India Store Department) and Sqn Ldr D. P. Challu (Air, India Store Department), visited Hawker Siddeley* Aviation's Avro Whitworth Division factories at Bitteswell and Baginton, near Coventry. Although some time was spent inspecting Argosy C.l aircraft for RAF Transport Command, it is believed that the primary purpose of the visit was connected with the possible supply of an additional quantity of Sea Hawks to the Indian Navy. US Army Hiller Order The US Army has placed a further order for UH-12E helicopters, numbering 137. This type of Hiller, already deployed for tactical use in the Far East, is one of the contenders in the British Army competition for the new unit light helicopter. Colour Simulator for NASA Redifon Ltd have received an order from NASA for a full colour visual simulation system to be completed in nine months at a cost of about $250,000. The system will include an E.M.I, camera channel, Bush monitor screen, Pye pattern generator and Rank Cintel colour projection system and a model of an imaginary airport with full night lighting and VASI. Aircraft simulation will be by NASA's own large general purpose computer, initial trials being aimed at evaluation of certain aspects of supersonic transport flying. BOAC also have a Redifon colour simulator on order, for delivery early next year, to be used in conjunction with the two Redifon VC10 simulators, the first of which is due for delivery this autumn. Breguet 941 Visits Britain Northolt had never seen anything like it before; a 46,0001b four-engined aircraft droning around overhead at only 50kt. They asked the pilot to stay within the air field perimeter, and he did: not by dint of constant steep turns, but simply by flying slowly from one end of the field to the other and making those ridiculously small-radius turns just before going over the housing estates. At regular intervals the pilot landed, approaching at 50kt and 800ft/min on a 15° glide-slope, half flaring-out to squelch down nosewheel first and roaring to a stand still in 100yd with full reverse-pitch power. The Army and RAF watched it, and so did BEA, who have been interested for a year in the commercial possibilities. Everyone was extremely impressed. This was the form, on July 4, of the Bre guet demonstration of the 941, with chief test pilot Bernard Witt doing the airborne honours. The production version, due to fly in mid-1965, will be slightly larger, have 1,500 h.p. Turmos instead of the present 1,250 h.p. units and be able to open its rear ramp at up to 150kt. In a civil version—the pressurized 942 is also offered—it could carry 60 passengers over a 500-mile stage, cruising at 260 m.p.h. at the operating costs of a Viscount. Breguet say that a civil 941, fully equipped, should cost £500,000. France has six airports suitable for big jets, but 320 small club fields suitable for the 941. Other countries similarly placed, or special geo graphical areas, could likewise benefit; and the potential market, Breguet claim, is very large. The French Government, having sup ported the long development phase rather parsimoniously, with some financial help from NASA, announced during the recent Paris Show that requisite funds had been designated for production tooling and draw ings and for four or five pre-production aircraft. The 941 was also chosen as the French Air Force tactical transport and funds for an initial batch of 50 would be voted in the Loi Programme for 1964- 70. The single prototype has now flown some 350hr and all major features are settled. The type is ready to go into operation. There is considerable US interest. NASA has supported 941 development financially and a NASA team completed an extensive technical evaluation earlier this year. A military operational evaluation is to follow soon and the aircraft is expected to go to the USA next year. Licence and co-operation agreements have been con cluded with McDonnell and US production sources designated for all parts, including engines, propellers, landing gear, shafts and so on. In England, Short Bros & Harland have a co-operative and manu facturing agreement and were m fact the hosts at the Northolt demonstrations. Controls and powerplant of the 941 are naturally unusual, but it is remarkable that handling at minimum speed is absolutely straightforward, with almost too much manoeuvrability and surprisingly ample safety margins. The basic factor is that the First RNAF TF-I04G Representatives of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, US Air •rurce and Lockheed-California Co inspect the first of. the batch of tandem-seat TF-I04G Super Star/ighters which are now coming off the line at Palmdale, Calif
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