Egyptian Lessons With the return to their bases in this country last week of some of the R.A.F. Canberras and Valiants which had been engaged in attacks on targets in Egypt, those operations may be said to have officially ended, and it is possible to summarize the lessons gained. Probably the chief is that our post-war Bomber Command, in action for the first time apart from small-scale deployment against Malaysian bandits, is a weapon of great flexibility. The aircraft were operating from far-distant bases within a few hours of leaving their home stations. Thus, in addition to giving their crews first-hand operational experience, the home commands have proved they can swiftly reinforce the R.A.F. overseas at short notice. Another lesson has been the important part played by carrier-borne aircraft, both fixed-wing and helicopter. The Admiralty has stated that the landing of paratroops at Port Said was probably the first such operation to have been supported from the air solely by carrier-borne aircraft. Aluminium Blades On November 12 it was announced by the Hamilton Standard Division of United Aircraft that a C.A.A-approved type certificate has been granted for a new design of propeller blade. Erle Martin, HamStan general manager, described the blade as "one of the most important steps forward in the past ten years." The new development will make available propellers capable of absorbing more horsepower per pound of weight than any previous pattern. The blades are extruded from light-alloy billets and are then flattened, twisted and partially filled with a cured synthetic-sponge stabilizing compound. A final coating of nickel plate provides protection from abrasion and erosion. Second Craft Lost Remarkably bad luck seems to be dogging the Martin Company in their efforts to turn the P6M SeaMaster into a usable weapon for the U.S. Navy. The first prototype broke up in the air nearly a year ago. It is now learned that the second machine has also been lost over Delaware Bay. The crew of four escaped by parachute. A New Bedstead On Monday of this week it was reported that an improved "flying bedstead" v.t.o. test rig had started its flight trials at Rolls-Royce, Hucknall. The machine is stated to have risen vertically and hovered for "several minutes," and to have made a second flight a short time later on the same day. |
Source: Flight International