Race Canberras Return

On Friday last, the Canberras which took part in the England to New Zealand race returned to London Airport after their extensive goodwill tour through Australia, Malaya, Thailand, Burma, India, Pakistan, Irak and Malta. They were greeted with an example of truly foul English weather entirely in keeping with the day - Friday 13th.

In a welcoming speech on behalf of the Air Council, Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman congratulated the crews on their great achievement. The additional records set up during the race, he said, added new lustre to the R.A.F. and demonstrated once again the supremacy of British aircraft.

For Mach 3

Although it has been flying for a year, the U.S.A.F. have only now released brief details of the Douglas X-3 research aircraft. Powered by two Westinghouse turbojets with afterburners, it is designed for a speed given as both Mach 3 and 2,000 m.p.h. Weighing nearly 30,000lb at take off, the aircraft has a span of only 22ft; the length, however, is no less than 66ft.

H.M.S. 'Eagle' Trials

Enquiries to the Admiralty regarding a series of trials which took place at the end of October and the beginning of this month in H.M.S. Eagle have resulted in some brief but important news of progress with new types. The trials were as follows:

A Wyvern S. Mk 4 made its first catapult launches and carried out a number of deck landings. The Supermarine 508 was submitted to similar tests and was also catapult-launched for the first time. The first production Gannet A.S. Mk 1 made a series of day and night landings, and these were the first night landings for this type. A production Sea Hawk F.1 fitted with drop tanks underwent its first trials and deck operation. Finally, the Bristol 173 twin-rotor helicopter made three landings on the deck of Eagle and was subjected to rotor-running tests in various states of wind. During the trials the weather was mainly good and winds were light.

Such trials as those mentioned above not only provide valuable information and experience from the point of view of the aircraft manufacturers and pilots, but also for the aircraft handlers on the deck. Jet and turboprop aircraft bring with them many new operating problems.

Source: Flight International