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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0017.PDF
JANUARY 6TH, 1944 Looking , Back Evolutionary Development and Improvisation the Characteristic Features of 1943 '• Multiple Functions of Types APART from the introduction of one or two /A new types, or at least the release of the •*• -*• information that they had gone into operational service, 1943 was chiefly remark able for the amount of highly successful • improvisation and modification of existing air craft. The result was that, on the one hand, range was greatly extended and targets became available which had previously been out of reach. On the other hand, types of aircraft initially intended for one purpose were modified and developed into extremely useful weapons with different functions. Responsible for increasing the range of fighters was the coming into extensive use of auxiliary fuel tanks, often so mounted that they could be jettisoned. There is, of course, nothing new in the use of extra tanks mounted externally. In 1919, when pilots were struggling to get across the Atlantic, several machines had external streamlined tanks. The surprising thing about the " moderns " is that these tanks do not spoil performance to any serious extent. This fact was first discovered some years ago when the good old Hurricane was fitted with external bombs, which gradually grew larger and larger; and still the Hurricane continued to fly well. In the modern application the fuel tanks are often mounted on the bomb slips and interchangeable with the bombs. Thus a fighter can either be given a greatly increased range, or it can be used as a fighter-bomber over shorter ranges. Versatility As examples of versatility mention may be made of such types as the Bristol Beaufighter, the De Havilland * Mosquito, and the Lockheed Ventura. The last named, for instance, developed from a civil type in the light of operational experience with the Hudson, can carry bombs TWO FORMS OF EFFICIENCY : The Avro York (top) is a compromise between roominess, weight-carrying and speed. The D.H. Mosquito carries its concentrated load within a perfect streamline shape. or depth charges, or torpedoes, and long-range tanks. The Mosquito exists in many versions which, between them, account for 15 different functions. The Beaufighter, in addition to its terrific armament, has proved a highly suc cessful torpedoplane. The Supermarine Spitfire, apart from its functions as a fighter, carrier-borne fighter (Seafire) and fighter-bomber, has done good humanitarian work in Air-Sea rescue. In the bomber class the development has been mainly in the direction of modifications of existing types. The Handley Page Halifax, for example, has made its appearance with the original '' double-chin'' nose turret removed and replaced by a streamlined Perspex nose. A
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