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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 1779.PDF
988 FLIGHT International, II June 1964 G.95/4 V/STOL tactical fighter, on which design work has reached? a similar stage. This project is almost certain to be dropped in favour of the Italo-German VAK-191 (FW1262, see page 952), being developed by Fiat jointly with the German VFW company. Models of both were shown. Showing Fiat's machinists' skills, there was a main reduction gearbox for the Sud Super Frelon helicopter. The Italian aircraft industry has two noteworthy aircraft on the point of making their first flights—the Agusta AZ.101G heavy-lift helicopter and the Rinaldo Piaggio PD.808 Vespajet executive transport; and it was a great pity that neither of these aircraft was ready to appear. Rinaldo Piaggio showed the fuselage mock-up of the Vespajet, with a very attractive blue and off-white interior for five passengers and similar luxury for the two pilots in the well laid-out and distinctive "bug-eyed" cockpit. The absence of the AZ.101G did not inhibit Giovanni Agusta, for this company had an enormous stand on which to show its wide range of helicopters. Of particular interest to the British visitor was the Agusta-Bell 47G-3B1 for the Regia Aeronautica, since deliveries of this model to the British Army begin later this month. The British Army version will be identical with the Italian Air Force model but for the deletion of the cargo sling, the addition of an anti-collision light and, of course, a different communications installation. The first few aircraft will be flight-delivered to Britain and others will be shipped. Delivery of Agusta's batch of 50 will be complete early in 1965, after which the company will deliver gearboxes, rotors and rotor masts, and possibly other components, for the 100 that Westland are to build. TURIN'S EXPOSITIO "FLIGHT International" PHOTOGRAPHS THE magnificent exposition building in the Valentino Park,Turin, was the scene last week of the second InternationalAirport Equipment Exhibition, sponsored by the Paris- based Comite International d'Assistance Aeroportunaire. First held last year in Geneva, the ground-equipment exhibition was grafted this year to an aircraft show; concurrently with the exhib- ition in the Valentino Park was a display of aircraft and some support equipment at Turin's Caselle Airport, and a flying display brought the event to a conclusion on Sunday, June 7. Another concurrent event, held at the Turin Automobile Museum, was CIAA's annual congress, at which a number of important papers were read. Turin is, of course, very much Fiat's satrapy; and this company's display, centred upon raised examples of the G.91T trainer and F-104G Starfighter, with an elevated walkway between, dominated the show. A full-scale mock-up of an engine nacelle for the pro- jected G222 V/STOL transport was shown, housing a Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop for propulsion and three RB.162 lift jets in line. Design work on this tactical transport, funded by the Regia Aeronautica, has now reached the stage at which construction of prototypes can begin, and an Italian Government decision to go ahead is confidently thought to be imminent. The outlook for this aircraft is certainly more promising than that for the Fiat Agusta's A. 105 turbine-powered light helicopter was also on view. This has a Bell-type rotor driven by a 270 s.h.p. Turbomeca Astazou shaft turbine, and a two-seat bubble cabin. The engine installation is flanked on each side by external platforms on which loads can be lashed or, in the military version, on which four men (two on each side) can sit—a fairly exhilarating ride, one imagines, if one does not mind the engine and gearbox whirling away six inches behind one's ear. Certification is expected later this year and production is to begin at Agusta's new factory south of Rome. The major British exhibitors were the two engine companies, Bristol Siddeley and Rolls-Royce; both were supporting Fiat, in whose various programmes they are heavily involved. Bristol Siddeley exemplified their part in the Concord programme with an up-to-date model of the aircraft showing the installation of the Olympus 593Bs; and they had, too* an exhibition model of the Orpheus installed in the Fiat G-91T. On the Rolls-Royce stand an actual RB.162 lift jet off the development bench, as opposed to an exhibition mock-up, was making its first appearance. The extent to which plastics are used in this engine—for the forward casing, the intake bullet, guide vanes and various plumbing—was very obvious; but it is even more extensive, for Rolls-Royce say quite cagily that plastics are employed for "some blading." With a thrust of 4,4001b the RB.162/1 has a power : weight ratio of 16 : 1 and a Below, nacelle mock-up for the proposed twin-Dart Fiat G.222 VTOL tactical transport. Behind the Dart are three Rolls-Royce RB.162 lift jets with intakes on the top surface. Right, Agusta's neat A.I05 Astazou-powered helicopter which, with only two cabin seats, has ample reserves of power for loads lashed, or seated, on the platforms on each side
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