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Aviation History
1967
1967 - 0626.PDF
612 FUGHT International, 13 April 1967 Second Super Mirage wing-and-tail extrapolation of the Dassault Mirage III delta-wing fighter is the two-s F.2 above, designed for strike duties and considerably larger than the single-seat F.I intercepter which illustrated on this page last week. An intercepter version of the F.2, designated the F.3, has a/so IN studied. The F.2 is powered by a JF.306 engine and weighs 39,7OOIb gross and 20,9501b empty. Speed Moch 2.2 maximum and endurance 5%hr represents an intention by Britain to con- tinue with an airborne nuclear deterrent, "since it is far too expensive for ordinary tactical bombing." On Monday, the MoD and Mintech were preparing to weather the storm which threatened to blow around the project this week, and it remains, to quote Mr Healey, both "the core of our long-term aircraft programme" and "the foundation of an advanced tech- nology that can meet the American challenge." June 1 is at present the date by which both Governments are com- mitted to making a final decision on whether or not to proceed with the AFVG. This month's talks between Mr Healey and M Messmer may result in a postponement of that date (after which 14 months' notice is required from either party deciding to withdraw). Meanwhile, it is not far from the minds of policy- makers in both London and Paris that the Dassault Mirage III-G swing-wing project is still alive. The French, at least, have the basis of an alternative. RAF Tanker Force at Full Strength NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL is the RAF's third Victor tanker squadron, 214 Sqn, which shares RAF Marham with the other two. The unit formerly operated Valiants, in the bomber and subsequently tanker roles, until the sudden with- drawal of that type, on the discovery of fatigue fractures, in February 1965. The three-point Victor K.ls of 214 Sqn have certain improvements over the similar tankers operated by 57 Sqn, which began equipping with the type in January last year, and over the quickly converted two-point Victors of 55 Sqn which were rushed into service to fill the gap left by the Valiants, in the sum- mer of 1965. Among these improvements is underwing floodlighting for night re- fuelling operations. Normally two fighters can be refuelled simultaneously from the underwing points, with the fuselage point being used to refuel bomber or transport aircraft, at the rate of 4,0001b of fuel a minute, and as a reserve position for fighter aircraft. The squadron recently supported the routine deployment of a Lightning squadron to Cyprus. The RAF in Paris THE RED ARROWS, the premier RAF aero- batic team, will make only a one-day stand at the Paris Air Show. The seven- Gnat team will fly its full routine on Sunday, June 4. On the previous day the RAF participation in the flying display will comprise a Vulcan B.2 and a Victor B.2, from Scampton and Wittering re- spectively; and a 10 Sqn VC10, a 53 Sqn Belfast and an Andover of 46 Sqn. On both these days there will be a display of solo aerobatics by a Lightning F.3 from 23 Sqn at Leuchars. Static park exhibits, which will be in place for the entire duration of the show from May 26 to June 4, will comprise a The first RAF Hercules C.I is now undergoing handling trials at the A&AEE Boscombe Down and later this month will go to 242 OCU at RAF Thorney Island for crew training. Meanwhile Hercules deliveries continue, initially, to Marshall of Cambridge for painting and fitting-out to RAF specification Lightning F.6, a Bassett CC.l, a Wess HC.2 helicopter, a Dominie T.I navij tion trainer, Bloodhound 2 SAM and mock-up of the Tigercat short-ran anti-aircraft weapon which the Rl Regiment is to operate for airfit defence. Australian Army Wants Chinooks THE BRITISH ORDER for 15 Boeing Ver CH-47 Chinook helicopters has help the Australian Army in their effort persuade the RAAF to order eight ten of the helicopters. The Australi Army has for several years pressed t Defence Department to override RA/ objections to big helicopters. The Mi has no operational use for big helict ters and is short of pilots. The Aust lian Army wants the Chinooks to cai materials and troops in forward bat areas in Vietnam. An Australian on would be for the advanced versi ordered by Britain. Observers expect order for a minimum of eight aircr to be placed for delivery in 1970. The French Polaris THE FRENCH NUCLEAR SUBMARINE Redoutable, first of the small fleet v* is to form the second generation jo de frappe, and launched on March is to carry the same number of miss as the Royal Navy's Polaris submani —16, with nuclear warheads. Th weapons are known as MSBMs (nV ballistic strategique) and their devdj ment has been entrusted to the Direa Technique des Engins in co-operai with SEREB (la Societe d'Etude et Recherche des Engins Ballistiques).» sile trials will be undertaken by D10 (Direction des Recherches et Wjf d'Essais) leading to CERES (£« d'Essais et de Recherche des W= Speciaux) then to the Centre d'Essai Landes. , Very few details are as yet avaw of the all-French MSBM except^ is a two-stage missile of about 10"' in height, weighing over 15 tonne, •
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