700 m.p.h - All But
Subject to F.A.I. confirmation, a North American F-86D Sabre single-seat all weather fighter has broken the world's landplane speed record by averaging 699 m.p.h over a 3-km course at Thermal, California. The pilot was Capt. J. Slade Nash, U.S.A.F., whose four low-level runs were observed by representatives of the F.A.I. and National Aeronautics Association, and the course lay by the Salton Sea, a lake about 235ft below sea level. Under the conditions prevailing, the speed of sound was estimated to be about 775 m.p.h.; thus the Mach number was almost exactly 0.9.
Peat as Turbine Fuel
An open-cycle gas turbine burning raw peat has run successfully at the works of its designers, Ruston and Hornsby Ltd., of Lincoln. About two-thirds of the heavy-water content of the peat is first removed; exhaust heat does the rest of the drying.
Flapped but Unflung
Speaking at a Roadfarer's Club luncheon in London last week, S/L Neville Duke said that "the bangs we are making at present" should not break windows. The actual pressure-wave was quite weak; it would make trouser-legs flap, or rattle loose windows. "At Dunsfold we hear tales of people being flung off bicyles by the bangs-but I don't believe them." Of the Hawker Hunter, S/L. Duke said: I would be quite happy now for any squadron pilot to come along, take it up, and put it through the speed of sound. He will not get into trouble."
R-R Diesels
A diesel-engine division of Rolls-Royce, Ltd., has been formed, to manufacture engines of 70 to 250 h.p., mainly for transport and industrial uses. This is the first new Rolls-Royce division since World War I, when the aero division was formed.
Source: Flight International