One B-36 bomber aircraft was destroyed and no fewer than 106 of the same type damaged in the Caribbean hurricane which struck Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas, on September 1. This official news is the first intimation that the U.S.A.F possesses such a large number of these aircraft, and it discloses far heavier damage (estimated at nearly £50 million) than was at first admitted.
Wingtip Isotopes
During the year ended last June, the Atomic Research Establishment at Harwell sent more than 3,000 consignments of radio-active isotopes to more than 37 countries. Increasingly urgent demands from overseas have led B.O.A.C to convert a fleet of Argonauts to carry the radio-active materials in special wing-tip containers. This method, which reduces the cost of transport by more than 60 per cent, as it obviates the need for heavy lead containers (to protect the crews from radiation), is being considered for use on Series II Comets.
Hurricane to Hunter
Nearly 200 jet fighters and bombers - the largest number of jet aircraft ever seen over London - took part in Monday's Battle of Britain Fly-past. The weather, though heavily overcast, was better than on previous occasions; the lone Hurricane, traditionally flown by an anonymous Battle-of-Britain pilot at the head of the formation, made its appearance at the schedule time of 12.30pm. A flare on the Air Ministry roof guided the formation towards "Zero Line" at Whitehall.
Next overhead, flying in excellent formation at 1,500ft, were 96 Meteors in four groups of 24; as they passed by, they overtook flights of Bomber Command Lincolns 1,000ft above them.
The "heavies" were obviously finding the 2,000ft cloud ceiling troublesome, and two of the flights of three Lincolns broke formation over Whitehall on encountering a hanging wall of dark cloud.
Source: Flight International