Russian Aggression
What was probably the most serious attack ever made on British life and property in peace-time was the shooting down of a Royal Air Force Lincoln by Russian fighters on Thursday last, March 12th. The aircraft was one of a number used by Flying Training Command on regular exercises over the Continent, and it had taken off from Leconfield, Yorkshire, earlier in the day.
At 1.20 p.m. G.M.T., it was entering the 20-mile-wide international air corridor leading from Hamburg to Berlin at a height given as between 7,000 and 10,000ft. Here, it was attacked, without warning, by two or more fighter aircraft - reported to have been Mig-15s - which opened fire with cannon from close range. The Lincoln went into a steep dive and was followed down by its attackers. At about 3,000ft the bomber's starboard wing caught alight and, shortly afterwards, three of the crew baled out. Finally, the Lincoln broke up at low altitude, the main wreckage landing in a wood on the Russian side of the frontier.
Creating the Viscount
After collating the facts, the writer is more than convinced that whoever buys a Viscount gets his money's worth. Without any doubt, there has never before been so completely equipped an airliner of this size. The most significant single feature, of course, is the Dart powerplant. But Vickers- Armstrongs have built around these engines a truly fine aircraft, and one which will do much to enhance the prestige of the British aircraft industry.
Three Get Out
Barely a week after the desertion of a Polish Mig-15 pilot, a second "penetration of the Iron Curtain" was effected - at somewhat lower speed. Early last Friday, March 13th, a Czechoslovak Avia C.2 trainer landed at the airfield at Graz, in the British zone of Austria. The aircraft had on board an air force lieutenant and two sergeants, who said they had been planning a get-away for some time.
Source: Flight International
