The Aircraft book 9781409364801

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THE AIRCRAFT BOOK THE DEFINITIVE VISUAL HISTORY ^ALL-TIME % GREATEST % ? AND LATEST? \ AIRCRAFT g

THE AIRCRAFT BOOK . HRONICt ES THt DRAMA1K STORY OF MANNED FLIGHT IN STUNNING VISUAL DETAIL WITH MORE THAN 8 0 0 ICONIC AIRCRAFT. TRAIL-BLAZING ENGINES. FAMOUS MANUFACTURERS. AND THE PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED FLYING MACHINES. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE AMAZING HISTORY OF AVIATION.

I THE AIRCRAFT BOOK

es

AIRCRAFT BOOK THE DEFINITIVE VISUAL HISTORY

LONDON. NEW YORK. MUNICH. AND

MELBOURNE, DELHI

OORL1NG KINDERSLEY

Contents

Senior Projcct Editors Som Atkinson. Jemima D u n n e Senior Art Editors Helen Spencer. Sharon Spencer. Steve Woosnam-Savajie Editors Nimta Hodgson. Chris Stone. Alison S t u i y O n . David Summers Designers ISnnishtha ClukralHirty. Paul Drislane. Natalie C o d w i n . Simon M u r r e l l Photographer Gary Onihk'r

Introduction: The Magic of Flight

8

BEFORE 1920

Picture Research Nie Dean

Pioneers began with gliders made of little more than wood and canvas and risked their lives to further our knowledge

Emma Shepherd

Producer Linda Dare Managing Editor Esther Ripley Managing Art Editor Karen Self Publisher Laura Buller Art Director Phil O r m c r o d Associate Publishing Director Li/ VVIu eler Publishing Director Jonathan Mctcalf DK I N D I A Managing Editor Pakshalika Jayaprakash Managing Art Editor A r u n e s h Talapatra Senior Editor Monica Saigal Senior Art Editor Chliava Sajwan Editor Supania Sengupta Assistant Editors Gaurav Joslii. Tanya Desai Art Editors Pooja Pipil. Neha Slianna. Supriya M a h a j a n . Sivati KayaL Devan Das. N i d h i M e h r a Assistant Art Editors Payai Rosalind M a l i k . Namita Production Manager Pankaj Shamia D T P Manager Balwant Singll Senior D T P Designer Jagtar Singh

Lighter than Air

12

Pioneers

14

Otto Lilienthal

16

Successful Pioneers

18

First published in Great Britain in 2013 by Dolling Kinderslev Limited. 8 0 Strand. London W C 2 R ORL A Penguin Company Copyright О 2013 Doriing Kindcrsley Limited 15 14 13 12 I I 0 3 5 - 1 8 4 7 9 7 - 04/13 All rights reserved. N o part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, o r transmitted in any f o r m o r by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright o w n e r . A C1P catalogue record for this book is available f r o m the British Library.

Printed and bound in China Discover m o r e at

www.dk.com

35

| , Engine: Rolls-Royce Type R ~ — The Warplane Evolves *" ' '

96 — oa

—

100

Outstanding Achievements

a?

H 'he outbreak of World War II drove the innovations of

Great Manufacturers: De Havilland

as SS

„,.„i,„„ ! | large numbers of piston-engined aircraft were used for commercial transport until superseded by jet power.

Profile: BlSriot XI

20

Engine: Anzani Three-cylinder Fan

24 26

THE 1930s

Bombers

Military Two-seaters

The "golden age" of aviation brought aircraft that were

Profile: Boeing B-17

Great Manufacturers: Fokker

28

safer and more reliable than ever before. But the glamour

Wartime Fighters

Single-seat Fighters

30

of air travel remained the province of the wealthy, who

Profile: Supermarine Spitfire

Profile: Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a

32

could afford the high ticket prices of the time.

Racers and Record Breakers

36

Lincoln Beachey

38

Great Manufacturers: Sopwith

^

72

Civil Transport

40

Profile: Piper J3 Cub

74

Post-war Light Aircraft

122

Multi-engine Giants and Seaplanes

42

Quest for Speed

78

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp

124

Engine: Gnome 100 Horsepower

44

Setting Records?

80

Piston Perfection

126

^

82

Early Jets

128

Frank Whittle's Jet Engine

130

D T P Designers N a n d K i s h u r Acharya. Tan veer Zaidi Editor-in-chief Philip W h i t e m a n Contributors M a l c o l m McKay. Dave U n w i n . Philip W h i t e m a n . Steve Bridgcwalcr. Joe Coles. Patrick M a l o n e . Peter R March. M i c k Oakey. E l i a n ap Rhys. Nick Stroud. Graham W h i t e . Richard Beany

51 m

Kn

of flight. World War I forced a fast rate of development.

Database David Roberts. Rob Laidlcr Senior Producer. Pre-Production Ben Marcus

—

I II li ran R n w a r

DK Picture Library Claire Bowers. Claire Cordier. Laura Evans. Jacket Designers Natalie G o d w i n . Steve Woosnam-Savage

Mailplanes and Barnstormers n . . _ .—I—: Private Flying Begins

THE 1920s

Great Manufacturers: Piper

_84

^ 106 |

no 112

Military Support Aircraft

»6

Great Manufacturers: Douglas

118 |f|

Airliners Win Through

86

Early Helicopters

132

Spectacular air shows drew huge crowds, single-seater

Profile: Douglas DC-2

88

Towards the Sound Barrier

134

monoplanes travelled faster than ever before, and aviation

Flying Boats and Amphibians

92

Ahead of their Time

136

captured the attention of a worldwide audience.

Rotorcraft Emerge

94

Great Manufacturers: North American

138

T H E 1950S

Engine: Rolls-Royce Pegasus

180

The Jet age came Into Its own with the setting of new

Business, Utility, and Fire Fighting

182

Flying became a standard mode of travel, creating a

speed records and the first Jet airliner. Electronic control systems made flying much safer than ever before.

Military Developments Profile: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

| I 186

Extremes in Speed

190

Upgraded Helicopters Carrier Aircraft

266 268

fiercely competitive market. Jets became increasingly

Military Technology

270

powerful, and the military revealed stealth planes.

Great Manufacturers: Northrop

272

Jet Fighters

142

Rotary-wing Diversity

192

Great Manufacturers: Lockheed

228

Profile: F-86 Sabre

144

Air Support

1?4

Military Aircraft

230

Bombers, Attack Aircraft, and Trainers

148

Great Manufacturers: Sikorsky

196

Profile: Mikoyan MiG-29

232

Stealth Bomber

234

Rotorcraft Mature The Glamour of Air Travel Plston-enqlne Transport Ends

15? 154

I M L

Helicopter Developments

icrzn l ^ / U S

238

AFTER 2000 After more than 100 years of flight there are still new MR | , frontiers to explore. Private entrepreneurs are pushing the . . . .... . . . , boundaries of flight for journeying to the edge of space.

M W m f a c t u r e r s : Robinson

2*1

Europeans Lead

276

A Scattering of British Types

242

Engine: Rotax 912ULS

278

Profile: Super Constellation

156

The Boeing 747 revolutionized commercial air transport.

Civil Jets and Turboprops

160

Fighter planes were routinely flying faster than the speed

Engine: Rotax UL-1V

244

Ultra-efficient Civil Transport

280

of sound, and Concorde brought the same performance to

Bizjets and Turboprop Rivals

246

Aircraft Graveyard

284

Two-crew Cockpits

248

End of the Line for Manned Fighters?

286

Profile: Eurofighter Typhoon

288

r u r i q q n r I ni- I 7 7 U 1

Alternative Power Great Manufacturers: Scaled Composites

292 294

Airliners became bigger than ever before, and the

|ntQ { h e puture

296

executive-jet market expanded. Military planes took a

WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo

298

How Aircraft Fly Piston Engines

30Q 302

Engine: General Electric J79

162

Modern Classics

164

the civilian market. Vertical takeoff allowed powerful

Great Manufacturers: Cessna

166

combat jets to be launched from ocean-going carriers.

Experimental Aircraft

168

Supersonic Fighters

170

US Rivals and French Classics

200

Business and Utility Aircraft

202

Airport Design

204

THE 1960s

Diverse Airliners

206

The Cold War years gave rise to ever-faster jets, sleek

Profile: Concorde

208

spy planes, and sophisticated helicopters. Airliners such

Great Manufacturers: Airbus

212

Business and Utility

252

as the Boeing 707 came into use on the long-haul routes.

Military Support

214

Tradition and Innovation

2 5 4

Je{

Frontline Aircraft

216

Sports and Sailplanes

2 5 6

Landmark Engines

174

Engine: Allison 250/T63 Turboshaft

218

Profile: Duo Discus Glider

Great Manufacturers: Boeing

176

Europeans Challenge

220

Europe Challenges the US Airliners

262

GLOSSARY

Jet and Propeller Transport

178

Profile: Bell 206 JetRanger

222

Engine: Rolls-Royce Trent 800

264

INDEX/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

America Dominates

leap forwards with the B-2 Spirit flying wing bomber.

__

Engines

|58

304 306

The magic of flight THE IDEA OF FLIGHT, and the extraordinary freedom it

Over the course of three years of spare-time research, the

bestows, is as old as the human imagination itself. The desire

Wrights not only built one of the world's first wind tunnels

to take to the air was there from the start. Anyone who

and tested hundreds of aerofoil sections, but also established

climbed a hill had an idea of the vista that might unfold, the

reliable lift and drag data for the design of their first powered

wonders they might see - if only they were able to emulate

machine. Finding that the science of propeller design was

the birds. The Montgolfier brothers launched the gentle art

virtually non-existent, they came up with their own theories,

of ballooning in magnificent style in 1783 and Sir George

and made propellers that were as efficient as those used on

Cayley sent the world's first - albeit reluctant - glider pilot

light aircraft today. In this way the Wright brothers came to

off for a one-off swoop across a Yorkshire valley in 1853.

make the world's first sustained and controlled heavier-than-

However, for all the technological advances of the Industrial

air flight on 17 December 1903 - inventing the aeroplane and

Revolution, by the end of the 19th century the dream of

giving the US an early lead in aviation.

sustained, controllable flight remained unfulfilled. Word was slow to spread at first, but sufficient detail of the

"The exhilaration of flying is too keen, the pleasure too great, for it to be neglected as a sport." ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1948)

emerged, with the United States catching up and then

Today, there are more ways to fly - more ways to travel

overtaking Europe with all-metal, retractable-undercarriage

and more ways to let your imagination take wing - than ever

monoplanes that would ensure its dominance until the 1990s.

before. We travel routinely to the farthest corners of the

In the same era, racing and record-breaking aircraft took

globe by business jets and airliners, and, in places that once

speeds to more than 400 mph (644km/h), crossed the

had no access by air, helicopters can land. Adventurers

Atlantic, and took the world altitude record to nearly 60,000 ft (18,288 m). In Britain, de Havilland introduced the private aircraft in the form of the economical Gipsy Moth, and in the United States William Piper made it affordable with the immortal Cub. The helicopter emerged alongside the first jet engines in the 1940s, and the jet airliner became a reality a decade later. The light aeroplane appeared in its modern form as the all-metal, high-wing Cessna 170/172, and

and private pilots can become airborne in anything from ultralights to twin-engine, very light jets, with a vast range of homebuilt, classic, and light sport aircraft in between. If you want to experience the joy of piloting open-cockpit biplanes, they are there for the flying. If you relish the sport of riding invisible air currents and staying aloft without engine power, there are sailplanes that can race over hundreds of miles in a day. If you can afford to explore the world, there are

The appearance of the petrol engine suggested that the goal

Wright brothers' achievements and - critically - their

was within grasp, but the unsolved problem of control I or

methods spread around the globe and affected progress

lack of it - was taking its toll. The courageous German

elsewhere. Further inspired by Wilbur Wright's masterful

pioneer Otto Lilienthal was killed when his glider stalled and

1908 flight demonstrations at Le Mans, the French surged

Not every advance has been for the best. Military aircraft,

crashed - an unfortunate demonstration of the limitations of

ahead. By 1912 the airspeed record had been raised to more

once stuttering things with shimmering propellers that

All these aircraft require power to operate, and we know that

a pilot attempting to steer an aircraft by shifting his body

than 100 mph (160km/h) by the intrepid Jules Vedrines,

weaved over battlefields like gadflies, were made into ever

the world's oil resources are ever-diminishing. However, the

weight. "Sacrifices", the dying man said to his brother "have

flying a rotary-engined Deperdussin monoplane that was far

more effective killing machines during the two world wars,

great human power of invention that gave us the aircraft in

to be made". It was the improbable genius of brothers Orville

in advance of anything the US could then produce.

culminating in the B-29 bombers that were used to drop the

all its forms is now being harnessed to produce superiight

and Wilbur Wright, cycle makers from Dayton, Ohio. USA,

atomic bombs on Japan. The drive for military superiority

structures and alternative-energy power units - certain bets,

that finally unlocked the door. Understanding that it was

Once the genie was out of the bottle, progress was

produced aircraft that flew much faster than the speed of

I believe, for keeping alive the magic and adventure of flight

essential to master control, they combined the idea of

astonishing - as the pages that follow will reveal. By the end

sound, and the same imperative has given us the stealth

for generations to come.

twisting an aircraft's wings in order to roll it, with an

of World War I, Fokker had developed in Germany the

bomber and unmanned aircraft that, operating from

invention of their own: an interconnected rudder that

combination of welded-steel tube fuselage and cantilever

homeland bases, are used to monitor and attack assumed

PHILIP WHITEMAN

prevented the aircraft from skidding into turns.

wings that we still use today. In the 1920s and 30s the airliner

enemies thousands of miles away.

GENERAL CONSULTANT

Piper followed suit in 1960, with the low-wing PA-28 Cherokee ! designs so good that they are still in production today.

high-flying single-engine turboprops that will carry you nonstop from Northern Europe to North Africa or halfway across North America without refuelling.

^smmm.

A period of intense activity in t h e study of aerodynamics began in t h e 1880s. Oaring pioneers designed gliders made of little m o r e t h a n wood and canvas and risked their lives t o f u r t h e r our knowledge of flight. Louis Blériot's cross-Channel flight of 1909 was made in a simple monoplane w i t h a three-cylinder engine and stick-and-rudder controls of t h e type still used today. World War I f o r c e d a fast rate of development, leading t o m o r e robust and manoeuvrable aeroplanes.

V Santos Oumont No.11890 Orlqln France Engine Ce Dion Bouton

M a n ' s first forays i n t o t h e a i r w e r e m a d e n o t i n aeroplanes, b u t I n l i g h t e r - t h a n - a i r vehicles: engineless b a l l o o n s m a d e b u o y a n t b y l i g h t gases ( s u c h as h o t a i r

Wealthy Brazilian Alberto Santos Oumont arrived in Paris in 1897 and began experiments with balloons and airships. His airship N0.1 ended its first flignt in a tree.

o r h y d r o g e n ) , o r bigger, s t r e a m l i n e d , p o w e r e d airships, o f t e n k n o w n as d i r i g i b l e s ( m e a n i n g steerable). I n t h e e a r l y years F r a n c e l e d t h e w a y . as these pages s h o w ; b u t . as W o r l d W a r I a p p r o a c h e d , G e r m a n y r a p i d l y w o r k e d out h o w to make the airship into a weapon.

A Lebaudy No.1 "I« Jaune" 1902

Santos- Dumont Demoiselle Type 2 0 1 9 0 8

Engine 50 hp Antoinette water-cooled V8 Top speed 35 mph (56 km/h)

Engine 35hpDarracq water-cooled flat-twin Top speed 56 mph (90 km/h)

Engine 24 hp Anzani air-cooled 3-cyfcndef tan Top speed 47 mph (76 km/h)

Holland's first aircraft was Anthony rotter's Spin (the Dutch word tor -Spider). Despite the first two crashing. Fokker started a factory in Berlin and built 25.

> Deperdussln Type A 1910 Origin France Engine 35 hp Anzani Y-type air-cooled 3-cylinder Top speed 60 mph (97 km/h)

Gabriel Voisin built aircraft from 1904. Henry Farman flew a Voisin biplane to win the prize for the first 0.62 miles (1 km) circular flight on 13 January 1908. Some 60 more were built; this is a replica.

Brazilian aviator ANterto Santos-Dumont developed the ultra-light, bamboo-fuselage Demoiselle (Damselfly) and released the plans for free; it was claimed one could be built for under 500 French francs.

A Blérlot Type X11909 Origin France

A Fokker Spin 1910 Origin Holland Engine 100 hp Argus water-cooled 4-cylinder Top speed 70 mph Santos-Dumont No.6 1901 Engin* 20 hp Buchet water-cooled 4-cylinder In-line Top speed 23mph(37km/h)

The speed of development in these early years was astonishing. At the start of the 20th century, only an airship could set a powered flight record but in the first decade heavier-than-air craft went from their first staggering hops to flying 26 miles (42 km) across the English Channel at almost 50mph (SOkm/h). A decade later speeds had more than trebled and the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic had been achieved.

Alberto Santos-Dumont won the 50,000 French franc Deutsche prize by flying from Pare Saint Cloud to the Eiffel Tower and back in under 30 minutes with this hydrogen-filled airship, on 19 October 1901.

A s t r a Wright BB 1912 Origin USA/France Engine 35 hp Barriquand et Marre 4-cytinder In-line Top speed 37 mph (60 km/h)

(907 kg) of bombs. Post-war, a handful were used for civil transport

especially Sikorsky i n Russia, h a d already conceived l u x u r y airliners w i t h insulated, h e a t e d cabins. W o r l d W a r I b r o u g h t t h e n e e d for h e a v y

A B & W Seaplane 1916 Origin USA

bombers, w h i c h l e d t o vast aircraft w i t h u p t o six engines, f l y i n g at h i g h a l t i t u d e for h u n d r e d s o f miles t o d r o p tonnes of bombs o n e n e m y cities.

Engine 125 hp Hall-Scott A5 water-cooled 6-cylioder In-line Top speed 75 mph (121 km/h)

After airships, the world's first airline service used the two Origin USA Benoist XIV seaplanes, first Engine 75 hp Roberts water-cooled over Ouluth harbour in Minnesota, 6-cylinder In-line then over Tampa Bay in Florida; Top speed 64 mph (103 km/h) it was not a commercial success. A B e n o l s t XIV1913

> Sikorsky S22 llya Murometz 1913 Origin Russia Engine 4 x 100 hp Argus water-cooled 4-cylinder in-line Top speed 68 mph (109 km/h)

Igor Sikorsky had designed the first four-engined aircraft; he built this as a luxury airliner with heating and toilet, but swiftly redesigned it as the first heavy bomber. Of 73 built only one was shot down.

William Boeing and Conrad Westervelt built the first Boeing of wood, linen, and wire, improving on a Martin trainer that Boeing owned. Two were sold to New Zealand, to be used for Airmail deliveries.

A Capronl Ca36 1916 Origin Italy Engine 3 x 150 hp Isotta-Fraschini V4B water-cooled 6-cyllnder in-line Top speed 85mph (137 km/h) Armed with two machine guns and able to carry 1,764 lb (800 kg) of bombs, the Ca36 was a potent heavy bomber from the final years of WWI, operated by the Italian Army and Air Force; 153 were built.

Origin Germany Engine 2 x 260hp Daimler-Benz D.lVa water-cooled 6-cyllnder in-line speed $03 mph (165km/h) The AEG boasted a welded steel tube frame, onboard radios, and heated suits, but lacked power and range. It was used mainly as a tactical bomber attacking battlefield targets and nearby cities.

A Handley Page V/15001918 Just too late for wwi, this large long-range bomber carried 3.056lb 0 Vervllle-Sperry R-3 1922 Origin USA Engine 443 hp Curtiss D12 water-cooled VT2 (earlier. 300hp Wright H3) Top speed 233 mph (375 km/h)

retractable

undercarriage.

> Gloster Bamel/Mars 11921 Origin UK Engine 450 hp Napier Lion II water-cooled Broad Arrow Top speed 212 mph (341km/h) Designed by Henry Foiland based on his Nieuport Nlghthawk fighter, Mars I (or Bamel) was modified to reduce drag, setting a British speed record of 212.15 mph (341.42 km/h), just above the world record.

A Curtiss C R 1 / C R 2 / R 6 1 9 2 1 engine 619 hp Curtiss V-1400 water-cooled V12 Top speed 138 mph (222 km/h)

Curtiss developed this racer for the US services. The Navy's CR1 and CR2 competed against Army's R6s for the Pulitzer Prize - the Navy winning In 1921 and the Army in 1922. R6s set world speed records in 1922-23.

Alfred Verviiie's streamlined cantilever wing monoplane racer was even fitted with fully retractable landing gear. Three were built contesting the Pulitzer Prize from 1922 to 1924, when it won.

A C u r t i s s R3C-2 1925 Engine 619 hp Curtiss V-1400 water-cooled V12 Top speed 246mph (396km/h)

A Nleuport-Klrsch 1921 Origin France Engine 300 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb water-cooled V8 Top speed 173 mph (278 km/h)

After winning the Coupe Deutsch de la Meurth in October 1921 at 172.96mph (278.36 km/h), Georges Kirsch fitted a 400hp Wright H3 engine and, in October 1923, set a world speed record at 233.096 mph (375.132 km/h).

A Macchi M 3 9 1926 Engine 80Ghp Fist AS2 water-cooled Vt2 Top speed 259 mph (417 km/h)

A Supermarine Sea Lion I11922 Origin UK Engine 450hp Napier Lion H water-cooled Broad Arrow Top speed 160 mph (258 km/h) Supermarine modified its Sea King fighter to contest the 1922 Schneider Trophy, fitting a Napier Uon engine for the race. Despite its bulky appearance, it won at 145.7 mph (234.48km/h). flown by Henri Biard.

P Supermarine S 5 1 9 2 7 Origin UK Engine 900hp Napier Lion VIIA water-cooled Broad Arrow Top speed 320mph (515 km/h) Brilliant designer R. J. Mitchell built an all-metal semi-monocoque for the 1927 Schneider Trophy race. Napier Llon-engined, it looked right - and was. U S. N. Webster won the race at 281.66mph 029kg) when dry 318Jcutn (521 litres)

Engine oil is stored in the aluminum sump.

(for display only) IHMlaywt Though the Gipsy l had an air-cooled, four-cylinder Inline layout the later Gipsy Major mounted the four cylinders inverted, as did all subseguent de Havilland aircraft piston engines.

Msuppiyplpe Filtered oil is pumped through the oi supply pipe to the main bearing oil pipe.

6 2

.

T H E

1 9 2 0 s

Outstanding Achievements T h e w o r l d bccame a smaller place after A I cock a n d B r o w n ' s 1919 transatlantic flight. D u r i n g t h e 1920s long-distance flights attracted huge public attention. Inspiring newspapers and governments to sponsor ever m o r e a m b i t i o u s j o u r n e y s . M a n y Intrepid pilots died, b u t t h o s e w h o s u r v i v e d c l o c k e d u p r e m a r k a b l e feats o f e n d u r a n c e . Piston-englned aircraft w e r e n o w p o w e r f u l a n d reliable, b u t the

A Graf Zeppelin D - L Z 127 1 9 2 8

most Impressive trips w e r e achieved b y vast, l u x u r i o u s airships.

Origin; .Germany

A Douglas World Cruiser 1 9 2 3 Origin USA

V Avro Avian 1 9 2 6 Origin UK Engine 90lip ADC Cirrus air-cooled 4-cyllnder In-line Top speed 105 mph 069km/h)

The Avian was a sound late 1920s tourer popular lor record flights. In 1927 Bert Hinkler (lew solo Irom Croydon. UK to Darwin, Australia in • iS'/i days and in 1928 Amelia Earhart . crossed the US and back In one.

Engine 423 hp Liberty L-12 water-cooled V12 Top speed 103 mph (166 km/h)

Five World Cruisers were built for the US Army Air Service, based on a torpedo bomber. In April to Sept 1924 "Chicago" and "New Orleans" flew 27,533 miles (44,310 km) • around the world In 371 hours, .11 minutes . flying time, averaging 70 mph (113 km/h).

_____

Engine 5 x 550 hp Maybach VL-2 water-cooled V12 Top speed 80 mph 029 km/h)

This successful, hydrogen-filled, gas/petrol-fuelled airship was the first aircraft to fly 1 million miles (1.6 million km) and made the first nonstop crossing of the Pacific when flying around the world In 1929.

> J u n k e r s W.33 B r e m e n 1 9 2 6

BRtMtH [ J

A Breguet XIX T F Super Bldon

1 1 6 7

Point d ' I n t e r r o g a t i o n 1 9 2 9 Origin France Engine 600hp Hispano-Suiza 12 Lb water-cooled V12 Top speed 133 mph (214 km/h)

Based on a light bomber, the "Point d'!nterrogat'.on" (Question Mark) had a 1.419-gaRon (5.370-htre) fuel tank. Dieudonne Cosies and Maurice Betonte flew it nonstop from Paris to New York in September 1930.

A Lockheed Model 8 S l r l u s 1 9 2 9 Origin USA engine 710hp Wright SR-1820 Cyclone supercharged air-cooled 9-cyllnder radial Top speed 185 mph (298 km/h) Charles and Anne Lindbergh set a US coast-to-coast speed record on 20 April 1930 In a Model 8. Its most significant flights were In 1931, to the Far East, and In 1933.30,000 miles (48,280 km) scouting air routes worldwide.

A R y a n H Y P S p i r i t of St L o u i s 1927 Origin USA Engine 223hp Wright R-790 Whirlwind J-5C air-cooled 9-cylinder radial Top speed >33 mph (214 km/h)

Based on Ryan's M-2 mailplane, the NYP was designed and built In 60 days by Donald A. Hall. Charles Lindbergh made the first nonstop solo Atlantic crossing and first New York to Paris flight in this aircraft In 1927. A Stlnson SM-8A Pet rotter 1926 Origin USA Engine 215hp Lycoming R-680 Top speed 135 mph (217 km/h)

A Bernard 191GR Oiseau Canari 1928 Ortgin Franca Engine 600hp Hispano-Sul/a 12 Lb water-cooled V12 Top speed 134 mph (216km/h)

Three record breakers were based on the •nclOMd-cockpit 190. This one made the first French North Atlantic crossing, piloted by Jean Assolant, René Lefèvre, Armand Lotti, and a stowaway, In June 1929.

A Fajrey L o n g - r a n g e M o n o p l a n « 1 9 2 8 Origin UK Engine 570hp Napier Mon Xla water-cooled V12 Top speed 110 mph (177 km/h)

__ Built for the RAF to set nonitop distance records, one, with a bed lor the copilot, made the l l r i t nonitop flight Irom B r i t a i n to Indie —

In 1929. The second Hew a record 5,410 mile»

—

(8,707 km) to south-west Africa In 1933.

Ahead ol I t i time with an enclosed heated cabin, the Oeirolter was used for North Pole and Atlantic record attempt». In 1928, working with Packard, one became the first dieset-englned aircraft to fly.

j d e Havllland D H 6 0 Gipsy M o t h 1928 Orlgin UK Engine 100 hp de Haviliand Gipsy I air -cooted 4-cylinder In-tlne Top speed 102 mph (164 km/h) The Gipsy Moth was a popular cholce amonQ those bent on setting records. Amy Johnson was the t i n t woman to fly solo Irom Britain to Australie In one, Sbe liew 1V.000 miles (17,703km) from Croydon to Darwin, In 1930.

6 4

.

T H E

1 9 2 0 s Morane-Saulnler MS138 1927 Origin France

Biplanes Dominate

Engine BOhp Le Rhdne 9Ac air-cooled 9-cyllnder radial Top speed 8flmph(M2km/h)

Lessons l e a r n e d f r o m W o r l d W a r 1 w e r e consolidated i n t o stronger, faster,

France had always tended to prefer monoplanes, so its primary training two-seater was this light monoplane will slightly sweptback parasol wings and fabric-covered, wood-framed fuselage.

and m o r e efficient m i l i t a r y aircraft. B r i t a i n a n d t h e US still f a v o u r e d biplanes b u t n o w w i t h steel frames a n d i n n o v a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g supercharged engines, h y d r a u l i c w h e e l brakes, a n d l a n d i n g flaps. France preferred monoplanes, and b u i l t effective aircraft still w i t h w o o d frames. A i r c r a f t w o u l d be increasingly i m p o r t a n t I n f u t u r e c o n f l i c t , as messengers a n d t r o o p transports, n o t j u s t fighters a n d b o m b e r s .

A Sopwlth 7F.I Snip* 1919 Origin UK Enqlne 230 hp Bentley BR2 air-cooled 9-cyllnder radial

Introduced a few weeks before the end of WWI, the Snipe became the RAF's main post-war single-seat fighter, finally retired in 1926. Its agility and rate of climb made up for a low top speed.

A Armstrong W h l t w o r t h Siskin III 1923 Origin: UK Engine 400hp Armstrong Slddeley jaguar IV supercharged 14-cyllnder radial Top speed 156 mph (251 km/h)

Lessons learned from WWI produced the aerobatic Siskin biplane fighter for the RAF. In IIIA form It was the RAF's first all-steel framed fighter - and very rapid when fitted with a supercharger.

V Falrey Flycatcher 1923 Origin UK Engine 400 hp Armstrong Slddeley Jaguar IV air-cooled 14-cylinder radial ' Top speed 133 mph (214km/h) Designed for aircraft carrier use with flaps running the full length of both wings and hydraulic wheel brakes, the pioneering Flycatcher could land or take off on just 151ft (46 m) of deck; 192 were built. A Verville-Sperry M-1 Messenger 1920 Origin USA Engine 60 hp Law ranee L-3 air-cooled 3-cylinder radial Top speed 97 mph 056km/h)

Small, simple, cheap, and designed by Alfred Vervilie to replace motorcycles • carrying messages lor the US Army Air Service, the M-1 . was also used for research, including airship hook-up.

Hawker Tomtit 1928

Enqlne 570hp Napier Lion XI llguidcooled Broad Arrow Top speed 120 mph (192 km/h)

WWI showed that getting troops into place before the enemy would be crucial in future conflicts, so the RAF ordered Enqlne 2 x 570hp Napier Lion XI these troop transports. They liquid-tooled Broad Arrow served until 1944, with new Top speed N/A . engines fitted in the 1930s.

Engine

A Vickers Type 5 6 Victoria 1922

Engine 525 hp Rolls-Royce Kestrel IB liquid-cooled V12 Top speed 185mph (298km/h)

Sleek and aerodynamic, the Hart was the most proific Brftish mat* aircraft of the inter war years with 992 butt. A light bomber. :t was faster than contemporary fighters, carrying 529D (240 kg) of bombs.

< Morane-Saulnler MS2301929 Origin France Engine 230 hp Saimson 9AB air-cooied 9-cylinder radial

A Boeing Model 15 FB-5 Hawk 1923 Origin USA Enqlne 520hp Packard 2A-1500 liquid-cooled V12 Top speed 159 mph (256km/h)

Boeing analysed WWI Fokker DVIIs before building the Model 15 pursuit fighter, which served with the USAAF and with the US Navy. The FB-5 was the production carrier-borne variant.

Top speed 189 mph (304 km/h)__

A compact, light, and agile fighter for the US Navy, the F4B (or P-12) flew from the USS Lexington from 1929 and served as a pursuit fighter until the mld-1930s, then on training duties until 1941.

Top speed 127 mph (204km/h) Much faster than the MS138. this would be the main elementary trainer for the French Armée de l'Air throughout the 1930s and over 1.000 were buiit. it was very easy to fly. and sold worldwide.

6 6

.

THE

1920s

A i r l i n e r s Emerge During the 1920s the airliner began to emerge as a viable means of transport. Although Initial designs were loosely based on World War I Strategic bombers, such as the Farman F4X by the mid-1920s there were many puipose-built airliners operating all over the world. This decade also saw some fantastic, but unsuccessful flying machines, such as the giant Junkers G3S and the 12-engine Doraier Do-X flying boat.

68

.

THE

1920s

De Havilland biplane Is "bombed up" In 1918

Great

Manufacturers

De Havilland

DM»» Dragon Rapid. 6

In September 1920 the de Havilland Aircraft Company was set up at an old Royal Flying Corps base at Stag Lane, North London. Over the next 4 0 years the company would produce some of the most influential aircraft the world has ever seen, and also design j and manufacture the engines that powered them.

, Mirrev de Havilland Is born In IWZ " S r e . Buckinghamshire. , „ „ „ K ^ l a n d designs, builds, and 1 9 0 9 „ashes his first aeroplane. „ f n tmtere exposed tor cooling i oioe - the"Cub iw>s\erv «11 silenced 5. Fuel level indicated by cork float tint 6 WhMt stats-an eitra-OTtoptwi 7. Non-standard extra wing tanks »Emended cab* gUwtg ?. A-ieron ccntrol cable and pulley 10. Adjustable wing strut fcyk-ends It.FuetHlercap 12. Aileron cable tumbuckle 13. Trim

äöJ

m

§

THE INTERIOR A utilitarian product of the Depression era. the interior of the Piper J3 Cul produced w i t h little in the w a y of creature comforts for its occupants. The w e r e plain, doped fabric and the thinly-upholstered seats were barclv com

H

enough for a person to spend a couple of hours in the air - which was in a the J3's normal duration. For centre of gravity reasons, the aircraft had to solo f r o m the rear seat, which is set a little higher to the cockpit to give th, better v i e w past the passenger or student sat to front. 21. Magneto (ignition) key 22. Carburettor heat control fhot air (mm around exhaust wx counter icing) 23. Throttle lever, one for each cockpit position 21. Trm handle 25 1 -26. Exposed wing main spar fitting 27. Drop-down door incht sxie onM and m -

NO STEP liil

I f

am.

™"

1

"''

c„ckpi, t h c C u £fr (l I

E

THE

1930s Hughe» H - 1 1 9 3 5

and more practical having been built for long-

Origin USA

distance contests, such as from England to South

Engine 1,000hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535 twin-row 14-cyllnder radial

Africa and back, where reliability was critical.

Top speed 352 mph (566 km/h)

Howard Hughes used streamlining and fully retracting undercarriage to sgueeze record speeds out of the H-i. He also set a new trans* continental record, but failed to achieve military orders.

V Perclval Mew Cull 1936

«Ts Mew

Engine 200hp de HawHand Gipsy Six air-cooted 6-cylinder inverted Despite being an enlarged, four-seater version of the earlier Gull, the Vega Gull was still an Engine 205 hp de Haviliand Gipsy Six Series efficient design, winning the King's ll air-cooled Inverted 6-cylinder in-line Cup and Schlesinger races in 1936; Top speed 174 mph (280 km/h) 90 were built. A Perclval P10 Vega Cull 1 9 3 5

350 mph (563 km/h)

Only two Actives were built, of which this is the second. Falling to get military orders, they were flown as sports planes. Active 2 competed in the King's Cup In 1932*33, recording 137 mph (220km/h).

Built for famed racer Roscoe Turner by Lawrence Brown, then substantially redesigned with "Matty" Laird, this powerful racer was placed third in the 1937 Thompson Trophy race and won in 1938 and 1939.

Top speed 245 mph (394 km/h]

Chifton DW1A 1939

8 0

.

THE

1 9 3 0 s

Setting Records

Tupofev AHT-25 J933

t> Lockheed Vega 5B 1927 Origin USA Enqlne 500hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp R1340C~ supercharged air-cooled 9-cyllnder radial Tbp speed IBS mph (298km/h)

Public interest a n d g o v e r n m e n t e n t h u s i a s m for setting aerial w o r l d records c o n t i n u e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e 1930s, w i t h t h e US. Soviet U n i o n , a n d E u r o p e a n nations i n p a r t i c u l a r c o m p e t i n g t o send p i l o t s t o ever greater altitudes, speeds, a n d distances. Some of t h e

A long-range passenger transport for Lockheed, this rugged aircraft was Ideal for records. On 20-21 May 1932. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo, nonstop across the Atlantic In this aircraft.

records set i n t h i s decade are s t i l l u n b r o k e n o v e r 7 0 years l a t e r i n c l u d i n g t h e w o r l d speed record f o r seaplanes a n d t h e longest n o n s t o p flight for a s i n g l e - e n g i n c d aircraft.

nder radial TOp speed 137 mph (220km/h) The 1936 Olympics m 8erim featured the first and oniv aerobatic competition- it was won by German paot Graf von l Ulenburg m a Jungmeister. At an international competition a year later, no» out of 13 competitors flew the type; Jungmeisters took the first three places.

Amelia Earhart

LAST FLIGHT Earhart c o n t i n u e d t o break records, a n d i n 1937. as she neared her fortieth birthday, she set h e r sights o n one. final challenge t o b e t h e first w o m a n t o fly a r p n n d t h e w o r l d . " I have a feeling that there is just about o n e m o r e good flight left i n m y system, a n d I hope this t r i p i s i t . " she said. O n 2 9 June, w i t h o n l y 7,000 miles 111.265km) of t h e j o u r n e y left t o complete, her goal w i t h i n reach. Earhart a n d navigator Fred Noooan set out from Lae. N e w Guinea for t i n y H o w l a n d Island i n t h e Pacific Ocean. She was never seen again.

P I P E f

Great

T M Piper J3 Cub, the most famous of ad the aircraft produced by Pip«* in flight In 1944

Piper

Manufacturers PA-12 Super Cruiser

William Piper was an oilman when he was persuaded to invest in a struggling aircraft company. Within a few short years, the company bore his name and his personal drive and commercial instinct had made the Cub the most popular aircraft of its era, establishing one of the world's great aircraft manufacturers.

Today t h e J3 C u b is r e m e m b e r e d as

preceded i t w a s a s i m p l e o p e n - f r a m e

t h e aircraft that made W i l l i a m T. Piper

g l i d e r and, t o k e e p costs d o w n , its

" t h e H e n r y Ford o f a v i a t i o n " .

w i n g s t r u c t u r e w a s used f o r t h e

However, t h e C u b was designed

finding

PA-46 Mallbu Meridian i 9 6 0 The PA-28 Cherokee. Piper's most numerous and succewfuf type, to introduced. A new plant is opened at Vero Beach, Florida. 1969 Piper Aircraft Corporation sales lop S100 mWon. Bill Piper retires. 1970 Bill Piper dies at the age of 89. 1 9 8 4 Lear Siegier Corporation effectively acquires Piper, aircraft sales slump because of the cost of i a M M y insurance, and two plants are dosed. 1987 Piper is sold t o M. Stuart МЖес.

1990 Production M t as m e company slips into bankruptcy. «995 New Piper Aircraft Inc. i t launched. 2 0 0 0 The turboprop versmn о« the PA-46. the Maftbu Meridian, is delivered. 2 0 0 3 « і — r k a n ГщШШ S l r a H i ^ j U d OCAS) takes 9 4 per cert of Hew Piper equity. 2 0 0 4 Hurricane damage stops production at Vero Beach for several months. 2 0 0 9 ACAS sens Piper Aircraft t o the investment ill ateqv company bnprimis. 2011 Work on the PiperSport era« is hatted.

ІУНР

a suitable engine. Taylor's

u p t h e o r i g i n a l Taylor Brothers

first choice h a d been a t w o -

Aircraft C o m p a n y w i t h his

cylinder. t w o - s t r o k e : t h e 2 5 h p

brother. G o r d o n . Piper

B r o w n b a c h Tiger K i t t e n .

became a n i n v e s t o r i n t h e

This engine barely p r o d u c e d

c o m p a n y w h e n Gilbert

e n o u g h p o w e r t o get t h e

m o v e d t h e f i r m t o Bradford.

E2 o f f t h e g r o u n d , t h o u g h

Pennsylvania i n 1928 after G o r d o n i n a n a i r crash.

1930 Piper buys the assets of the company. Gilbert Taylor remains as chief engineer. 1931 The Taylor E2 Cub Is certified. «935 piper buys out Taylor. 1937 The business relocates to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and changes its name to Piper Aircraft Corporation. The Piper Cub is launched. 1941 The Piper Y0-59. renamed the L-4, goes Into service with the US Army.

1946 Record year in which 7.782 aircraft are built and Piper opens a second plant at Ponca City. Oklahoma. The PA-12 Super Cruiser is launched. 1947 Sales collapse. Piper Aircraft Corporation defaults on a loan and Bill Piper loses control of the company. 1950 Bill Piper regains control of the Piper Aircraft Corporation. 1959 The 50.000th aircraft Is built and the PA-25 Pawnee plane used for agriculture enters production.

E2. T h e biggest p r o b l e m w a s

b y C. Gilbert Taylor, w h o set

t h e death o f his b r o t h e r

1928 William T. Piper Joins the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Company as an investor.

legend has it t h a t it gave William T. Piper

7 Grumman JRF-5 Goose 1937 Origin USA Engine 2 x450hp Pratt і Whitney Wasp Junior air-cooled 9-cylinder radial Top speed 264mph (424km/h) Initially intended to be used as a "commuter" aircraft, between Long Island and New York, the Goose proved to be a rugged and reliable amphibian, and was used for both military and civil (as the G-21) applications. Around 340 machines were built.

Built by Boeing especially for Pan Am's Atlantic and Pacific services, at one point the 3U was the largest aircraft In the world. Only 12 of these magnificent aircraft were built, with three be«ng operated by British Overseas Airways їБОАС) during WWII. None survfce.

Supermarine Walrus 1939 Origin UK Engine 750hp Bristol Pegasus VI air-cooied 9-cyimOof recfeal Top speed 135mph (2tSkm/h) The Walrus was designed to be launched by a warship's catapult, and was consequently much stronger than it looked. Rugged and reliable, the Walrus saved countless eves as a search-and •fescue aircraft, its wings folded for carrier storage.

ROTORCRAFT

EMERGE

MS*.

Rotorcraft Emerge

mti

A w o r l d w i d e racc was under w a y i n t h e 1930s 10 perfect t h e helicopter: but It was o n l v w h e n disparate touches o l genius w e r e brought together t h a t progress was made. Spain's J u a n de la Ciers-a invented t h e h i n g e systems t h a t m a d e rotors practical; Austrian Raoul Hafner came u p w i t h t h e cyclic system that made t h e m controllable: Frenchman Louis Brcguet created coaxial contra-rotating blades thai prevented the rotor blades a n d the helicopter luseUge rotating i n opposite directions (torque reaction): a n d Russian-American Igor Sikorsky made the

Л Clerva C19 1930 Origin Spain/UK Engine 80 hp Armstrong Sîddeley Genet II radial Top speed N/A

i m p o r t a n t steps t h a i t u r n e d the autogyro i n t o a t r u e helicopter.

A method of spinning the main rotor by deflecting the propeller wash allowed the C19 to "spin up" while stationary, in the MkVI, the rotor was "pre-spun" directly by the engine.

Д Brequet-Dorand Gyroplane 1936 Origin France Engine 240hpHlspano-Sulza radial Top »peed 62 mph (100 km/h)

This worthy claimant to the title of "first successful helicopter", flew at 70 mph (113km/h) and stayed airborne for an hour In 1936. it was destroyed by the Allied bombing of Villacoublay airfield, France in 1943.

Henna Retttch tndoori Deutschiandftau«. Ben

V Clerva C8 MklV Autogiro 1930 Origin UK Engine 200hp Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IVC 7-cyllnder radial Top speed 100 mph (161 km/h) Cierva's "articulated" rotor is now used on almost all helicopters. The C8 added drag dampers to limit blade movement and successfully completed a 3,000-mile (4.828-km) tour of Britain.

.1 Sikorsky VS-300 1939 Origin USA Engine TSnp LycomwiQ Tap speed 64>npn ПСЗктЛи

.1 Clerva C30A Autogiro 1934 Origin Spain/UK Engine Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major 1A radial Top speed 110 mph (177km/h) Cierva's autogyros were rightly described in their time as "the most important step In aeronautics since the Wright Brothers". Tragically Cierva was killed in a plane crash in 1936. Û D'Ascanlo Р'АТЗ 1930 Origin Italy Engine 95tip ftat A-50S p;stcr. Top speed KM < de Havllland/Clerva С24 Autogiro 1931

The early coaxial twin rotor machine set height (59 ft/18 m> and distance aS37ft/rj07Bm) records. But designer Corradtoo D'Ascamo's potential was unluMMed. He went on to invent tne first scooter.

L Herrlck НУ-2А Verta 1933 Origin USA Engine IZShp Kinner B-5 racial Top speed 99 mpn 059km/h)

Origin UK Engine 120 hp de Havilland Gipsy HI in-line Top speed 115 mph (185 km/h)

The Verta was an inspired biplane dewy with a conventional lower wing and an upper wing that rotated, autogyro style, tor low spaed (light or landings, it was too heavy tc develop successfully.

i . Florlne Tandem Motor 1933 Origin Belgium Engine 180 hp HHpano-Suiza piston Top speed N/A

The sole venture of de Havilland into autogyros "married" a Cierva rotor to a DH Puss Moth fuselage. Designed for three people. It could barely lift two, and only one was made.

Russian émigré Nicolas Florlne built the first flyable twin tandem rotor helicopter. Rather than contra-rotating, the rotors were tilted 10 degrees in relation to each other to counter torque.

V SNCASE Llore et Olivier LeO C302 1939 Origin France Engine 175 hp Salmson 9Ne radial Top »peed 112 mph (180 km/h)

LeO, In 1937 nationalized as SNCASE - also known as Sud Est held Cierva's rotor patent for France and created a machine with Improved jump-takeoff ability and better landing characteristics.

.

95

Designed to win the Schneider Trophy seaplane race - and, at the same time, restore Rolls-Royce's position as Britain's top aero engine manufacturer - the R was based on the Buzzard V12 engine. The 2^39-cu in (36.7-litre) Buzzard produced 955hp; running on special racing fuel, the R was ultimately developed to produce 2,783 hp.

Exhaust porta The R had lour-valve cylinder heads, the two exhaust valves sharing a common exhaust port (covered for (fisptayX

The Warplane Evolves The

' '* Savola-Marchettl "Sparvlaro" 1936 Origin it«:/

saw rapid development In warplancs. especially f r o m 1935

as the threat of war loomed. At the start of the decade, basic bombers Top speed

and trainers looked much like late World War 1 aircraft, but soon monoccque fuselages, enclosed cockpits. all-metal construction, and advanced monoplane wing designs were the n o r m . A Pollkarpov Po-2 1930 Origin USSR Engine 125 hp Shvetsov M-lID air-cooled 5-cvlinder radial Top speed 94mph 052km/h)

> Bristol Bulldog 1929 Origin UK Engine 44Q-490hp B'istoi.

The Soviets claimed that over 40,000 of Nikolai Polikarpov's Po-2s were built. Being surprisingly difficult to shoot down, in WWII they were used as trainers, night bombers, and reconnaissance and liaison aircraft.

Dewoitine 027 1931 Origin Frana Engine 500np Hispano-Sutza 12Mc liquid-cooled V12 Top speed 194 mph (312 km/h)

Messerschmitt Bf 109E 1938

French aero-builder £mile Dewoitine moved to Switzerland in 1927 and designed this parasol-wing monoplane. Also built m Romania and Yugoslavia. 66 served with the Swiss Air Force.

issues delayed production and only 2.038 were constructed

With four woas Rcyce Merlin engines, the RATS mam heavy bomber had huge capacity. A phenomena^ successful night bomber, the Lancaster carried its huge »4.000-ib (6.350-kp) bomb load to targets in Germany and beyond.

107 1 0 6

.

T H E

1 9 4 0 s

Boeing B-17

SPECIFICATIONS

nAotol^ ["ORIGIN

Known as the "Flying Fortress", the Boeing B-17 was an extraordinary fighting machine. It bristled with machine guns and could fly at an altitude of more than 30,000 ft (9,000 m). When in mass formation, it was capable of delivering a staggering tonnage of explosives. Since the B-17 was employed in large fleets, mass production was essential, and, for every B-17 shot down, American factories produced more than two.

FOR T H E B - 1 7 ' S C R E W o f 10. c o n d i t i o n s

ability t o take the w a r to Germany. Indeed,

were cramped and uncomfortable. The Flying

the B - 1 7 was to take o n the lion's share

Fortress w a s n o t pressurised a n d t h e effects

of the day b o m b i n g campaign.

o f a l t i t u d e sickness w e r e h i g h l y u n p l e a s a n t .

T h o u g h b u i l t i n f e w e r n u m b e r s t h a n its

The U S A A F crews h a d to e n d u r e hours i n

contemporary. Consolidated's B - 2 4 Liberator,

freezing temperatures but a l w a y s be alert a n d

a n d despite its b o m b l o a d o f t e n b e i n g little

r e a d y t o b a t t l e t h e L u f t w a f f e ' s fighter f o r c e

m o r e t h a n that carried b y t h e m u c h smaller

once over e n e m y territory. Nevertheless,

a n d faster d e Ha v i l l a n d M o s q u i t o , t h e B - 1 7

the B - 1 7 gained t h e abiding affection of

was immensely strong a n d had a reputation

those w h o flew i n i t a n d t h e d e p e n d a b l e

for being able t o take a great deal of

Fortress b e c a m e a s y m b o l o f A m e r i c a ' s

p u n i s h m e n t a n d still get its c r e w h o m e .

f production

Boeing B*17G Flying Fortress,

Engines

1940

4 11.200 hp Wright R-I820-97 turbocharged air-cooled 9-cyli

USA

Wlngspan

103 ft 9 i n (31.6 m)

12,731

Length

74 ft 4 in (22.7 m )

{Construction

Aluminium and steel

( M a x i m u m weight 1 —

55,0001b (24,948 kg) loaded

1 Range Top speed

1,850 miles (2.950 km) 287 mph (462 km/h)

HE

1940s

THE EXTERIOR The B-17 belonged to a new generation of all-metal monoplane aircraft w i t h enclosed cockpits, and was built to be tough. From the outset Boeing had envisioned the new bomber as an aerial battleship. When a journalist reported that the prototype looked like a ' f l y i n g fortress'. Boeing saw the value i n the name and trademarked it. 1. it Flat CR.42 Falco 1940 Ortqln Italy Engine 840hp Fiat AJ4RC38 supercharged air-cooled 14-cyiinder radial Top speed 274mph (441 km/h) The ultimate o:piane fiqhter. the Falco (Falcon) was the mostproduced Italian fighter of WWii. with 1.8

Top speed

SUPERMARINE 114

.

THE

1940S

THE

EXTERIOR

Speed means the difference between life and death for a fighter pilot, so attention was paid to squeezing an extra few miles per hour from the aircraft. Streamlining reduced drag, so flush-rivets were used on the wings, and then on later versions on the fuselage, to make the skin smoother. Other ways of increasing speed included adding ejector exhausts and a 'Meredith Duct" around the radiator, which added to the main thrust provided by the propeller.

3. Calndqe e-ecacn chutes under wing 4. Fabnc pati

7 (Mot head measures airspeed 8. Radiator air intak 9 CodaM door «nth escape crowbar 10. IFF Mdentiftca or toe] aenei grtxnmet 11. Typical stencilling 12.Ste p.—.nca| bond 13 Rudder trim-tab actuator 14.

THE COCKPIT Following typical RAF practice for the time, the Spitfire's cockpit featured a central, "Basic Six" group instrument panel comprising airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, vertical speed Indicator, altimeter, heading indicator, and tum-and-sllp Indicator. Bnglne Instruments were to the "8ht, and oxygen/undercarrlage/flaps and other Instruments to the left. The cockpit had no floor - just rudder pedals on which to rest the feet, with structure and systems beneath.

It Q 5 l l u l T l e m P®™1 modern avionics in place ol gun sight) ontroi-coluinn, with gun-button at top 17. Undercarnage " • « t o r 18. Ruddor pedal 19. Bun-camera indicator 20. Pilot's M a l with height adjustment lever 21. Headrest and armou

SPITFIRE

.

• S THE

19 4 0S

Military Support Aircraft While the wartime news was filled with tales of thefightersand bombers behind the front line (and sometimes ahead of it) a multitude of workhorse aircraft performed vital roles from training pilots to transporting equipment, ground troops, and parachutists. In most cases, these were civilian models from the 1930s, usually strengthened and fined with more powerful engines to withstand the rigours of military service.

MILITARY

SUPPORT

AIRCRAFT

.

117

118

.

T H E1 9 4 0 sAHEADOFTHEIRTIME.137

Great

Manufacturers

Douglas

The Douglas Aircraft Company was established by Donald Douglas in 1921 and went on to become a multi-million dollar business. Responsible for producing the most important propeller-driven transport of all time, the DC-3, it is also known for its fighters, bombers, and supersonic research aircraft.

A Douglas World Cruiser with floats -successfully flew round the world In 1924

LIKE OTHER AVIATION pioneers.

success, a n d t h e f o l l o w i n g year

Donald Douglas was inspired b y t h e

h e founded t h e Douglas Aircraft

Wright brothers — he witnessed their

C o m p a n y at Santa Monica. California.

aircraft demonstration at the

W i t h i n three years t h e company

Fort Myer trials of 1908. a n d

had scored a m a j o r t r i u m p h by

was soon e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h

s u p p l y i n g the US A r m y w i t h

models p o w e r e d by rubber

1936 The prototype 0C-4EfMcs.lt If advanced for Its time but 1» not successful. 1942 Douglas debuts the DC-4, larger than the *3 but smaller and simpler than the -4E. All of the early production aircraft go to the OsAAF as the C-54 Skymaster. 1944 Production of the military version of the DC-3 - the C-47 Skylraln - peaks, with 4,853 delivered that year. 1947 Douglas's first l e t the Skystreak. sets a new speed record of 641 mph (1,032 km/h).

1967 Douglas merges with the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. 1971 The DC-10 enters service. 1*72 A DC-10 experiences an explosive decompression caused by a flaw in the Oniqn at th« cargo door 1976 The F-15 Eagle is launched. 1981 Donald Douglas dies. 1984 The company buys Hughes I leGcopters. 1986 The MDH if launched. 1*97 McOome« Oou0af merges • » » The Boeing Company

-e an served from 1949 to 1959

1 2 8

.

T H E

1 9 4 0 sAHEADOFTHEIRTIME.137

Early Jets

g e l ö s t e r W h i t t l e E 2 8 / 3 9 1941_ Origin UK

W i t h t h e advent of the jet engine, entirely n e w types

Engine 8681b (394 kg) thrust Power Jets W.I turbojet

of combat aircraft began t o appear. Radically different

Top speed 338 mph (544Km/h)

i n appearance, a n d w i t h t o p speeds s i g n i f i c a n t l y faster

Although only two of these little lets were buiit. the E28/39 has tremendous historic significance, as it was Britain's first jet aircraft. Although intended purely as an engine testbed it was by all accounts a pleasant aircraft t o fly. with reasonable performance.

t h a n their piston - p o w e r e d predecessors, these n e w fighters a n d bombers w o u l d change t h e course of aerial combat forever.

• : A redo Ar 2 3 4 B - 2 1944 Origin

Germ,

Engine i /1.103 lb ( 5 0 0 agf/ thr>,

t> L o c k h e e d P - 8 0 A S h o o t i n g Star 1 9 4 4 Origin USA Engine 4,6001b (2.087 kg) thrust Allison J33-9 turbojet Top speed 558 mph (898 km/h)

The Shooting Star was America's first < opérai American jet fighter, and. although it a Europe too late to see action during w used extensively in Korea as the F-80. It quickly became obsolete as a fighter, but evolved into t T-33 jet trainer, which remained m service with both the US Air Force and Navy until the 1970s.

Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojets Top speed 415 mph (668km/h) This was the only Allied jet to see combat in WWII. The Meteor had a long military career, as it remained in production until the mid-1950s, and set several speed records. The type was sold to many foreign air forces, and even today two Meteors are used as test-beds for ejection-seat manufacturer Martin-Baker.

J. M e s s e r s c h m i t t M e 2 6 2 Schwalbe 1 9 4 2 Origin Germany Engine 2 x 1.980K> (896kg) tnrust Junkers Jump 0 0 4 B-t turbojets Top speed 559mph (900km/h)

This very advanced aircraft was the world's first operational jet fighter. Although much faster than any piston machine it was hampered by the lack of dive brakes, and also the short life and inherent unreliability of its Junto turbojets.

A Republic F - 8 4 C Thunderjet 1946 Origin USA A de H a v i l l a n d D H 1 0 0 V a m p i r e FB 6 1943 Origin UK Engine 3.3501b (1,520 kg) thrust de Havilland Goblin 3 turbojet Top speed 548 mph (882 km/h)

L Bell P - 5 9 A Alracomet 1 9 4 4 Origin USA Engine 2 * 2.000 It) '907 kg) thrust General Electric J31-GE-3 turbojets Top speed 413 mph (665 km/h)

Engine 5.560lb (2.522 kg) thrust Allison J-35 turbojet

Designed and built by famed British aircraft manufacturer de Havilland. the Vampire was the RAF's second jet fighter, and the company's first jet. Two unusual facets of the aircraft are that a lot of wood (plywood and balsa) was used in its construction, and that both engine and airframe were built by the same company.

Top speed 622 mph (1.000km/h)

Republic's first jet fighter, this aircraft was rtenoed as a jet-powered replacement for their P-47 Thunderbolt After a long and troubled gestation period. It evolved into a highly capable fighterbomber that saw extensive service in the Korean War. The Thunderjet was also the first aircraft flown by the USAF acrobatic team, the Thunderbirds. Grumman F9F-2 Panther 1947

The Airacomet was America's first jet aircraft It was deemed a most unsatisfactory machine by aii that flew it as it was not only slower than most contemporary piston fighters but also had poor handling and stability. It is notable for being the first jet to have two engines integrated into the fuselage.

I à

t> M c D o n n e l l F 2 H - 2 > Helnkel He162 1 9 4 4 Origin Germany Engine 1.760 lc '798kg; thrust BMW 0 0 3 turbojet Top speed 562 mph (90S km/h)

Known as the "Voflaieger" (People's Fighter) the H«162 was intended to be a cheap, simple aircraft that could be flown by relatively inexperienced pilots. Unfortunately, because it was rushed into production it had many design flaws, and the prototype crashed on only Its second flight

Banshee 1947 Origin USA Engine 2 x 3.2501b (1,474 kg) thrust Westlnghouse J-34 turbojets Top speed 5 8 0 m p h (933 km/h)

Derived from the woefully underpowered FH-1 Phantom, the Banshee was fitted with much more powerful engines and soon became an effective fighter-bomber, it also had excellent performance at high altitude, and was often used for photo-reconnaissance, it was the only jet fighter operated by the Royal Canadian Navy

Frank Whittle's jet engi British A i r C o m m o d o r e Sir F r a n k W h i t t l e ' s i n v e n t i o n , t h e j e t e n g i n e , t r a n s f o r m e d a i r t r a v e l , a l l o w i n g m i l l i o n s to d o w h a t h a d seemed u n t h i n k a b l e a f e w decades before: t o cross t h e A t l a n t i c a t speed. I n 1 9 2 0 , w h e n W h i t t l e p r e s e n t e d h i s e n g i n e d e s i g n t o t h e A i r M i n i s t r y , they rejected it. Despite this setback. W h i t t l e still patented h i s "turbojet e n g i n e " I n 1930, W h i u l e ' s e n g i n e used a turbo-driven compressor wheel to force air Into a combustion d u m b e r , a n d relied o n the exhaust jet efflux lor thrust. In 1936 Whittle secured financial backing and. w i t h the A i r Ministry's

patented his plans after Whittle The t w o m e n are n o w given j o i n t r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e i n v e n t i o n . T h e first successful f l i g h t o f W h i t t l e ' s e n g i n e t o o k p l a c e o n 15 M a y 1 9 4 1 i n a n a i r c r a l t t h a t h a d b e e n specifically designed f o r t h e purpose - t h e e x p e r i m e n t a l Gloster £ 2 8 / 3 9 . Tills paved the w a y lor t h e Gloster Meteor, t h e f i r s t p r o d u c t i o n j e t . p o w e r e d b y t h e P o w e r Jets W 2 e n g i n e . A l t e r W o r l d W a r If, t h e turbojet e n g i n e w a s applied to passenger planes, a l l o w i n g faster j o u r n e y s i n larger aircraft. B o e i n g led t h e field, w i t h its M o d e l 7 0 7 j e t l i n e r e n t e r i n g service I n 1958.

a p p r o v a l f o r m e d P o w e r Jets L t d i n L u t t e r w o r t h , L e i c e s t e r s h i r e . Meanwhile, another engineer i n Germany, Hans v o n Ohain. had i n d e p e n d e n t l y devised a j e t engine that f l e w i n 1939, t h o u g h h e

f r a n k Whittle (centre) t e s t s an « ц і м in 1946 with colleagues C. В Bozzoni and H. Harvard in the documentary film M Propulsion.

1 3 2

.

THE

AHEAD

1 9 4 0 s

OF

THEIR TIME . 137

Early Rotorcraft W a r set back helicopter d e v e l o p m e n t i n E u r o p e : G e r m a n y b u i l t several dozen helicopters o f d i H e r c m types i n t h e 1940s b u t p r o d u c t i o n was l i m i t e d b y lack of resources. I n A m e r i c a p i o n e e r s l i k e Igor Sikorsky. Frank Piasecki. A r t h u r Y o u n g , a n d Stanley H i l i e r drove progress, p r o d u c i n g t h e f o r e r u n n e r s o f t h e m a c h i n e s f l o w n today. T h e first ever helicopter w i n c h rescue t o o k place i n 1945 w h e n a Sikorsky R5 f l o w n by Igor's s o n - i n - l a w l i f t e d t w o m e n o f f a s i n k i n g barge i n a s t o r m .

AI-26V racial

_

Top speed 1*8 moh (190km h)

MiKTvai' Mil ranks with igof Sikorsky as a helicopter pwwtt*. His MM utility MKopUr was the (tTsl Russian rotorcrat to go into volume production, and more than 2.500 were buitt

TOWARDS THE

1 9 4 0 s

Towards the Sound Barrier

t> Supermarine Spitfire PR MkX 1944 Origin UK

W o r l d War I I saw huge resources p o u r e d i n t o aircraft development, as h a v i n g faster machines t h a n t h e o t h e r side could m a k e a significant difference. R o c k e t - p o w e r e d interceptors f l e w at previously u n k n o w n speeds, a n d pistonengined planes approached t h e speed of s o u n d w h e n d i v i n g . Post-war. t h e research was n o t wasted as swept w i n g s , j e t engines, ramjets, a n d rockets a l l t o o k t h e i r place a n d t h e speed of sound ( M a c h 1) was easily exceeded.

A Gloster Meteor F4 1944 Origin UK Engine 2 * 3300ib thrust «fc*vRovce Derwewt 5 turbont Toe Speed 59Q mpft t"95C vm.'- • The SOM2 was Durit to test ftght bomber was canceled. M «as the first French aircraft to eueed 671 mph AOOOknM

A Westland Welkin Mkl 1944 Origin UK Engine 2 x 1,233Rolls-Royce Merlin IfJTl supercharged liguid-cooied У12 Top speed 385mph (620kph
de Havllland Canada DHC2 Beaver 1952 Origin Canada Engine 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior air-cooled 9-cyiinder radial Top speed 158 mph Lockheed F-104G Starflghter 1958

The poor range and endurance of the US Navy's second supersonic fighter meant that it had a short career with the fleet, being phased put of operations by 1961. However, the Tiger was flown by the Navy's aerobatic team, the Blue Angels, untit 1968.

Lighter than Its Western contemporaries, the "Fishbed" was designed by the Mlkoyan»Gurevlch design bureau and nicknamed the "balalaika" because the planform view resembled the Instrument. It flew at speeds In excess of Mach 2.

Origin USA Engine 16.500Ib (7.484 kg) thrust General Electric J-79 turbojet Top speed 1,328 mph (2,125 km/h) The aircraft was known as "the missile with a man in It". The Starflghter was the first fighter capable of sustained flight at speeds In excess of Mach 2.

Often referred to as the "Thud", the Thunderchief is the largest single-seat, single-engine fighter ever made. Capable of hying supersonic at sea level, and Mach 2 at altitude, it bore the brunt of the fighting in the first half of the Vietnam War.

The Cold War years gaveriseto ever-faster jets, sleek spy planes, and a number of experimental aircraft (X-planes). Increasingly sophisticated helicopters were developed to support ground troops in warfare. Airliners such as the Boeing 707. Douglas DC-8. Convair 880. and Vickers VGO came into use on the long-haul routes, signalling the dominance of the jet engine. Smaller jets including the Boeing 727. Caravelle, and DC-9 replaced the piston-twin aircraft types on medium- and short-haul routes.

175

America Dominates

> Bolkow B 0 - 2 0 8 C Junior 1966 Origin Sweden/German

Engin* 'OCt* C u t t * « * 0 2 0 0

Engine 'OOhpConCew*

Te* speed '62mp* i.259k**> •

I b r 1 9 6 0 s save a o u j o r c h a n g e i n t h e

Owe of the most famous tranars cf af t*we. t*e t5ÛftS2 senes is s M in «se ever ÏJ* world. 45 veers afte* tne onjtutipe W B i *

d e s i g n o f fight a i r c r a f t . T h e f a b r i c - c o v e t e d t a i l d r a g g e ? g a v e vsay t o a f i - m e t a i m a c h i n e s w » h tricycle undercarriages

> Cessna 150A 1961 Origin OSA

Engines

G-ARFO:

Top speed "".C c /

'6C

changed t o o - the radial and inverted in-line

'

c o n f i g u r a t i o n b e i n g superseded b y aii-

V Cessna 172E S k y h a w k 1 9 6 4

cooled. horizontally opposed motors of four, six, o r eight cyttnderv The i n t r o d u c r i o n of t h e solid-state V H F

S c h l e i c h e r A S K 13 1 9 6 6

Origin

Origin USA

Engin* son*

Engine 145 hp Continental 0-300 air-cooled flat-6

Tea «peed C : - ; '

i n u r e i f c i r c r i m a l receivers ( V O R i a h o

Top speed 125 mph (201 km/h)

m a d e n a v i g a t i o n m p o o r w e a t h e r easier.

Quite simply the most produced light aircraft in history, the Cessna 172 was the logical progression for any pilot who had teamed to fly in either a C150 or CI52. The type first flew in 1957. and remains in production today.

Beagle B-121 Pup Sérias 2 1 9 6 9 Origin UK Engine 150 hp Lycoming 0-320 air-cooled flat-4 Top speed 105 mph (169 km/h)

> Pi per P A - 2 8 Cherokee 1966 Origin 'JSA

Although the original K)0 hp Pup was woefully underpowered, increasing the power available by 50 per cent transformed It Into a fine light aircraft Unfortunately, at one point Beagle were selling them at below cost and the company went into receivership after barely ISO had been produced.

Engine I50hp Lycocwng 0-320 air cooled «

Capable of operating trom shorter runways than the DC-6 or TOT. tne VCD was also faster. However, it had a much larger wing than either, and consequently generated more drag so was less fuel efficient Only 56 •ere butt, atnough the RAF also operated the type as a tanker until quite recently.

< A n t o n o v A n - 2 6 1967 Origin USSR Engine 2 x 2 ^ 2 0 hp Progress A1-24VT turboprop Top speed 335mph(540iun/h) Mitsubishi MU-2 1963 Origin Japan Engine 2 x 575 hp Garrett TPE331-25A turboprop Top speed 311 mph (500km/h)

A Dassault Mystère 2 0 1963 Origin France Enqlne 2 x 4.180 R) (1,894 kg) thrust General Electric CF700 turbofan Top speed 536mph (862 km/h)

Dassault's first business jet also known as the Falcon 20, followed the ideal layout with rearmounted engines to keep the interior quiet and swept wings for speed; 508 were sold.

The DHC6 aircraft was available with floats, skis, or tricycle landing gear. A versatile short takeoff and landing aircraft it re-entered production in 2008 in developed form, being unbeatable for its ease of operation In remote territories.

A Grumman Gulfstream Gil 1966 Origin USA Enqlne 2 x 11,400 lb (5,171 kg) thrust Rolls-Royce Spey RB.168 Mk5ll-8 turbofan Top speed 581 mph (935km/h)

This was the only civilian jet with a forward-swept wing (so the wing spar passed through the cabin behind the main seating area). Most of the 47 built went to the Luftwaffe for training and VIP transport

Origin USA Engine 2 x 2.950lb (1.337 kg) thrust General Electric CJ610-6 turbojet Top speed 534 mph (859km/h)

Learjet simply stretched the successful 23/24 series to make an eight- to ten-seat business jet The Learjet 25 has the marque's distinctive wingtip tanks for its extended range of 1.767 miles (2.844km): it can fly at up to 45000 ft 03,716 m).

Grumman joined the business jet market with the state-of-the-art Gulfstream Gil, using greater sweep angles on its wings than Its competitors to achieve higher top speeds. The aircraft was chosen by NASA and other organizations for special missions.

One of Japan's most successful post-war aircraft also built in the US, the MU-2 offered high performance at low cost. Specific pilot training was required to reduce accident rates.

Though also sold for passenger transport the CL-215 was designed as a firefighting aircraft, scooping Engine 2 x 2.100 hp Pratt & Whitney up to 1.412 gallons (6.419 litres) R-2800-83AM 18-cylinder radial of water (or fitted with 6 tonnes of chemicals) to drop on forest fires.

A Beechcraft King Air 9 0 1963 Origin USA Engine 2 x 500bp Pratt I Whitney Canada PT6A-6 turboprop Top speed 280mph (450km/h)

This market Heading eight-seat twin-turboprop entered production in 1964. The King Air 90 looked exceptionaiy modern for its day and has kept its lead through progressive development.

> Cessna Citation 11969 Origin USA Enqlne 2 x 2,2001b (997 kg) thrust Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1B turbofan Top speed 465 mph (749km/h)

Cessna's ultimately successful blzjet series got off to a shaky start with the Citation I, which was slower than Its rivals and required one more crew member than competing turboprops.

184

.

THE

MILITARY

1960s

Military Developments T h e 1960s s a w s t a r t l i n g l y fast a n d e f f e c t i v e f i g h t e r s capable o f flying at m o r e t h a n t w i c e t h e speed o f sound. I n contrast, t h e r e w e r e aircraft i n supporting roles t h a t h a d s o l d i e r e d o n r e l i a b l y s i n c e t h e 1940s. T h e u l t i m a t e 1960s fighters a n d b o m b e r s r e m a i n i n f r o n t - l i n e s e r v i c e w o r l d w i d e , steadily u p d a t e d a n d scheduled t o serve u n t i l 2045 or beyond.

L Mc Don nei I DouqJasJ-4 Phantom I11960 idem-seat (qhter-tomber Origin USA using titanium extensively ir. its airframe set outright speea and Engine 2 I tl905-n£44fe (S^00-e«094kg> attitude records. The Phantom N ttmirt General Efcctric J79-GE-77A turbojet* was a successful cornea? aircraft Top speed T,Q97mph (2.732 fcm/n) for decades 5.195 were boat

Teddy" Patter's stacked-engtne design was the only British-made Mach 2 fighter. The original Fi version was the RAT'» first true supersonic fighter. The F6 had more thrust than the Fi and carried more fuel.

DEVELOPMENT!

185

1 8 6

THE

1 9 6 0 s

McDonnell Douglas F-4 P h a n t o m II The mighty McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II first flew in 1958, and remains in front-line service today. This large and highly adaptable fighter-bomber earned its formidable reputation during the Vietnam War and in later years proved itself in combat with the air forces of both Israel and Iran.

O N E O F T H E FIRST aircraft t o reach M a c h 2. t h e F - 4

] . 6 0 6 m p h ( 2 , 5 8 5 k m / h ) . It w a s first used i n c o m b a t

P h a n t o m started its service as a n i n t e r c e p t o r for t h e

d u r i n g t h e V i e t n a m W a r . w h e r e it p r o v e d effective, b u t

US Navy. Fast, w e l l - a r m e d , a n d w i t h a l o n g range, it

was m a r r e d b y its lack o f a g u n . This w a s i n i t i a l l y s o l v e d

w a s t h e m a t c h of a n y fighter. T h e US A i r Force a n d

b y t h e a d d i t i o n of a g u n - p o d . a n d later v a r i a t i o n s c a r r i e d

t h e US M a r i n e C o r p s w e r e so impressed b y t h e aircraft

i n t e r n a l c a n n o n s . T h e F - 4 s p e r f o r m e d fighter, b o m b e r ,

that t h e y also o r d e r e d it. I t b r o k e m a n y w o r l d records

reconnaissance, a n d defence s u p p r e s s i o n missions i n

a n d i n 1961 set a n absolute speed w o r l d r e c o r d at

V i e t n a m , a n d d e s t r o y e d m o r e t h a n 100 e n e m y a i r c r a f t .

FRONT VIEW

Navigation light en taUHF/VHF antenna is used for raclo communications Camouflage scheme for Southeast Asian operations

Aft cockpit where the back-seater sits

Forward cockpit where the pilot sits

Radome or nose cone protects the radar but allows radio

Outer wing section

AAA-4 Infrared search and tracking sensor

I

SPECIFICATIONS [Model Origin

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, 1960 1 Engines USA

| production

5,195

I Construction

Aluminium alloys, titanium, stainless steel, glass cloth laminate

Maximum weight

61,795 lb (28,030 kg)

! Wlngspan

2111,905-17,844 lb (5.400-3,094 kg) thrust General Electric J79-GE-I7A turbojets 38114 in (11.7 m)

Length

63 ft (192 m)

Range

1,615 miles (2,600 km) terry range

| Top speed

1,472 mph (2,370 km/h)

j

impressive t h r u s t This very large and heavy fighter-bomber lacked the agility of many enemy aircraft, but its impressive thrust meant that its pilot could engage and disengage from a fight at will.

M C D O N N E L L

THE EXTERIOR The F-4 Phantom was a very large and robust fighter. Its t o u g h structure came f r o m the aircraft's origins as a carrier fighter, where it had t o endure the brutal strains and stresses of catapult launches and arrestor-hook carrier landings. The aircraft's massive undercarriage also stemmed f r o m its carrier beginnings. The rear section of the aircraft was built f r o m t i t a n i u m and heat-resistant steel t o withstand the high temperatures generated by the engine exhausts. The "dogtooth"shaped leading edge of t h e w i n g was added to i m p r o v e control at h i g h angles of attack. The F-4's J79 turbojet engines were notoriously s m o k y i n flight.

D O U G L A !

1a9

EXTREMES 190

T H E

IN

SPEED

1 9 6 0 $

< EWR V J 101C 1 9 6 3

Extremes in Speed

Origin Germany

T h i s w a s a g l o r i o u s decade for aircraft d e v e l o p m e n t , as w o r l d

Top speed 792 mph 0 2 7 5 k m / n j

Engine 6 x 2.750 « 0 2 4 7 k g ) t h r u $ i RoHs-Royce R8145 turbojet

o p t i m i s m f o r w i d e s p r e a d supersonic a i r t r a v e l p e a k e d a n d

but it never entered production.

e x p e r i m e n t a l aircraft w e r e b u i l t t o test a l l t h e c o m p l e x issues i n v o l v e d i n a c h i e v i n g t h a t safely. V e n i c a l - t a k e o f f - a n d - l a n d i n g ( V T O L ) fighter j e t s w e n t f r o m c a l c u l a t i o n a n d e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n 10 flying r e a l i t y a n d a r o c k e t - p o w e r e d p r o t o t y p e aircraft set a n e n d u r i n g w o r l d m a n n e d speed record.

Engine 2 x 2.9501b 0.338 kg) thrust General Electric J85 turbojet Top speed 186 mph (299 km/h)

First down In 1957 with Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojets, the X-14 was transferred to NASA In 1959 for further VTOL research including moon landing tests, flown by astronaut Neil Armstrong. О Hunting H I 2 6 1963 Origin UK

t> N o r t h American X-1S I 9 6 0 Origin USA Engine 70.4C0ib '.31.933kg) thrust Reaction Motors Ttaofcoi XIR99-RM-2 liqu«a-fuei rocket fop speed 4^20mph (7274fcm/h>

Engine 4,0001b (1,814 kg) thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus B0r.3 Mk805 turbojet

First flown In 1959 this remarkable rocket-powered research aircraft, released from a B-S2, reached outer space (over 62 miles /100 km above the Earth) and still holds the world manned aircraft speed record.

Top speed N/A

Built to test "blown flaps" or "jet flaps" - nozzles along the trailing edges of the wings that took 50 per cent of the engine's exhaust (wing-tip thrusters took another 10 per cent), the H126 could take Off at just 32 mph (51 km/h).

< Hawker Siddeley P.1127 1 9 6 0 Origin UK Engine 15,0001b (6,804 kg) thrust Bristol Siddeley Pegasus 5 vectoredthrust turbofan Top speed 710 mph (1,142 km/h) Privately funded development by Bristol Engines and Hawker Siddeley in the late 1950s led to the first flight in 1960 of what would become the Harrier "Jump Jet": the first successful VTOL fighter.

DGJ10 afterburning turbojet Top speed 1,345 mph (2,165 km/h)

Sieei SKin ana lusea-qumi* windscreen. It never reached its design speed.

Д ВАС 2 2 1 1 9 6 4 Engine 11.0001b (4,990kg) thrust Rolls-Royce Avon RA.28 afterburning turbojet

Engine 2 x 260 hp Continental I0-470P air-cooled flat-6 Top speed 220 mph (354 km/h)

•1 Handley Page ИР1151961

Tested successfully over 12 years, this aircraft was peri of the Concorde development project to test low speed Engine '.900lb (862kg) thrust Bristol handling of delta wings. Despite wings Sddeley V'per BSV.9 turbojet with a low aspect ratio (75 degrees;, it Top speed 248mph (399km/h) could fly as stow es 69 mph {ill km/h). Origin UK

Д Dassault Balzac V 1 9 6 2 Origin France Engine 4,8501b (2200 kg) thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus BOr 3 Cruise turbojet, plus 8 x 2,160 lb (960kg) thrust Rolls-Royce RBI08-IA lift turbojet Top speed 686mph (1.104 km/h)

Dassault converted a Mirage III fighter for vertical takeoff and landing, with eight lift engines around the main propulsion engine. Only one was built. It flew successfully, but had two fatal crashes when hovering and was not repaired after the second Incident.

BAC rebuilt the prototype Fairey Delta (a 1950s supersonic research aircraft first to reach 1.000mph/1.609km/h) with ogee-ogive wing form and other details to provide research data for Concorde.

Custer built two CCW-5s with "channel wings" around the engines, for low speed flight and very short takeoff - one in 1955 and this one in 1964. Claimed to fly at 11 mph 0 8 km/h), Its top speed was low too.

^ D a s s a u l t M i r a g eJ * 1 9 6 7 Origin France Engine Pratt & WhitneWSNECMA ТГ 306 turbofan Top speed 1.599mph (2 573 km/h)

This swing-wing prototype tor the French Air Force hew successfully for four years before being lost in an accident. N was never developed for production, though two related prototypes were buit.

•

R O T A R Y - W I N G

D I V E R S

193

Rotary-wing Diversity By the 1960s visions of inexpensive c o m m u t e r helicopters and scheduled services between city centres had faded as efforts to reduce mechanical complexity were defeated a n d costs remained stubbornly high. The realization took h o l d that helicopters w o u l d always be specialist machines fit o n l y for tasks n o o t h e r vehicle could do. The Vietnam War led t o t h e rapid development of helicopters as t r o o p transports, gunships, and rescue aircraft, w h i l e offshore o i l exploration boosted t h e civil helicopter industry.

A Bell UH-1B troquols ("Huey") 1960 This is the US Army's first turbine helicopter - a prototype Origin USA flew in 1956. The UH-1B Is still In Engine 960shp Lycoming YT53-L-5 service, larger, heavier, and twice turboshaft as powerful as the early version; Top speed I35mph (217km/h) more than 16.000 were built.

A Ball AH-1 Cobra 1965 Origin USA Engin* 1.400shp Lycoming T53-13 turboshaft Top speed 196 mph (315 km/h)

Developed for the Vietnam War using the dynamic components of the Huey allied to a narrow, hard-to*hit fuselage, the agile, heavily armoured Cobra was the first dedicated helicopter gunship.

А МИ Ml-B 1961 Origin USSR Engine 2 x 1,700 shp Izotov TV2-117A turboshaft Top speed 160 mph (290 km/h)

A Mil MI-2 1961 Origin Poland Engine 2 x 400shp Isotov GTD-350 turboshaft Top speed 124 mph (200km/h) Although of Russian design, this was Poland's most successful helicopter. More than 5,200 twin-turbine Mi-2s were built in 24 military and civilian variants.

Successful as a military assault helicopter, the Mi-8 also flew civilian passenger services with Soviet airline Aeroflot. One variant had 32 seats and a lavatory.

V Hughes OH-6A 1965 Origin USA Engine 317 shp Allison T63-A5A turboshaft Top speed I75mph(281km/h)

Successful In military and civilian worlds, the "Loach" was designed as a Vietnam-era light observation helicopter and set 23 world records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb.

A Hughes 2 6 9 C 1 9 6 9 Origin USA Engine 190 hp Lycoming НЮ-360-01А Top speed ,39mpft(T75fcm/h)

V Kamov K a - 2 5 P L 1965 A West land Scout AH Mkl 1960 Origin UK Engine 1.050shp RoHs-floyce Nimbus 105 turboshaft (derated to 710 hp) Top speed 131 mph (211 fou/h)

I Wallis WA-116 Agile 1961 Origin UK Engine 72 hp McCulloch 4313A Top speed 120 mph< 193 km/h) Named after musK hall star Nellie Wallace. "Little appeared m the James Bond film YouOnhfUvt Twice. flown by its maker Ken Waffis. who has set 30 world autogyro records.

Rugged and robust the Scout served the British Army in every conflict from Aden to the Faikiand5. although early Nimbus engines had to be changed after only four to six hours.

V Westland Wessex HAS3 1964 Origin UK Engine 1.600shp Napier Gazelle 18 Mk165 turboshaft

An upgraded anti-submarine version of the original Wessex Mk1, the HAS3 carried a revolutionary Type 195 sonar svstem that was more expensive

Origin USSR Engine 2 x 900shp Giushsnkov GTD-3F turboshaft Top speed I30mph (209km/h)

t> Bensen B - 8 M Gyroplane 1960 Origin UK Engine 72 hp McCuMoch 4318 2-stroke Top speed 85 mph 037 km/h) Developed from an unpowered rotor-kite, in the 1950s the B8M set many records tor speed, distance, and altitude. Out of production since 1987. the Gyroplane is popular with homebuUderv

The small piston engmed Hugnes. first flown m 1955. reached its zanKh with the 269C its larger rotor and more powerful engine •nproved pe«tormanceby almost 50 per cant

Des^ned tor Soviet Navy anti-submarine work, the Ka-25s fottfcng, coenai contra-rotating mam Made* kept dimensions tight to allow for sNpboard storage

D u r i n g i b e V i e t n a m W a r , t h e assault o n H i B 8 7 5 i n N o v e m b e r 1967 saw the US 173rd A i r b o r n e Brigade w a l k i n t o a n a m b w s h b y the N o r t h Vietnamese. This w a s f a l l o w e d b y o n e o f t h e w o n t f r i e n d l y fire i n c i d e n t s o f t h e w a r . w h e n a b o m b d r o p p e d b y a US

fighter-bomber

d e t o n a t e d o v e r A m e r i c a n farces. T h e o n l y

efficient means of evacuation f o r t h e w o u n d e d m i n o t h e r operations of the war, w a s i o b e a M f i c d a u t . ft was here, i n Vietnam, that t h e helicopter t r u l y c a m e u n o its o w n . T h e B e l l U H - 1 I r o q u o i s , k n o w n as t h e " H n e y " a f t e r i t s B O d e s i g n a t i o n , w a s t h e first l u i b i n r - p o w e r e d h e t o u p w r i n t h e U S mflitary. I n the difficult terrain o f Sooth Vietnam, t h e H u e y was used i n Medevac (medical evacuation) operations, airlifting w o u n d e d t r o o p s t o field h o s p i t a l s , T o u w i m m c t h e p r o b l e m s ; o f r e b a t i n g t h e w o u n d e d 10 s u i t a b l e l a n d i n g sites, a w i n c h s y s t e m was later used t o hoist patients u p t o t h r h o m i n g helicopter. T h e role o f a n air a m b u l a n c e c r e w m e m b e r was a high-risk o n e w i t h a r o u n d a t h i r d o f those s c r v i q g b e c o m i n g casualties t h e t m r H n .

AN ALL-ROUNDER I b u o g h i n i t i a l l y c o n c e i v e d f o r a M e d e v a c rale, t h e H u e y w a s a l s o u s e d t o t r a n s p o r t t r o o p s a n d c a r g o , a n d for a i r a s s a u l t , s e a r c h a n d rescue, a n d g r o u n d a t t a c k , i t m a i n s i n o p e r a t i o n , a n d is s t B i n u s e ha t h r U S m i l i t a r y as w e B a s i n t h e m i l i t a r y forces o f n u m e r o u s c u u u t t i e s w o d d w i d e .

SIKORSKY T H E

.

197

1 9 6 0 s

Great

Manufacturers

Sikorsky

é»

S-38

Known for his key role in the history of helicopter evolution, Sikorsky was a pioneer of large multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft who rose to prominence in the 1930s. From the early days of search and rescue to helicopters for military and commercial use, the company continues to lead the field in innovation and design.

1 8 8 9 Igor Sikorsky Is born In Kiev. Ukraine. 1909 Sikorsky studies engineering In Paris. 1912 The S-6 design wins the Moscow Aircraft Competition. 1919 Sikorsky emigrates to the US. 1923 The Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corp is established. 1928 The twin-engined amphibious aircraft the S-38 is launched. 1929 Sikorsky's company becomes part of the United Aircraft and Transport Co, 1940 The VS-300 is launched.

щ т

R-4

S-61 S . 1 King

1943 Production begins o n the R-4, the world's first mass-produced helicopter. 1 9 4 4 The first helicopter rescue is made by the R-4, evacuating wounded soldiers from Burma during World War II. 1 9 4 6 The S-51 is the first helicopter t o fly in the A n t a r c t i c 1949 The first flight of the S-55, which has a nose-mounted engine, takes place. 1951 The S-55 is used in the Korean War. 1951 The S-58, one of the last pistonpowered helicopters, enters service.

1 9 5 3 The S-56 Is the first heavy-lift t w i n englned helicopter by Sikorsky. 1 9 5 9 The twin-turt)ine S-& See King is l a u n c h e d 1 9 6 2 The S-6IL enters commercial service w i t h Los Angeles Airway. 1 9 6 5 The S-6IW enters offshore oil support service. 1967 The CH-S3 arrives in Vietnam. 1972 Sikorsky dies i n Connecticut USA. 1973 The first flight of the experimental S-69 coaxial rotor helicopter takes p l a c e

Black Hawk wins a US A r m y competition a n d enters service i n 1979. 1977 The first flight o f t h e S-76 takes place. 1 9 8 0 The heavy lift CH-S3E enters service. 1985 The SH-60B Seahawk is deployed b y t h e US Mavy. 1 9 8 8 MH-60. Special Operations variant of Black Haw* developed. 2 0 0 4 The S-92 is launched as a successor t o the S-61 2 0 1 0 The experimental helicopter X2 becomes t h e fastest helicopter t o date.

Sikorsky S - 6 4 F Skycrane

O N E O F T H E MOST i n f l u e n t i a l m e n i n

the present-day United Technologies

had attempted to develop suitable

Sikorsky continues to experiment

F l o r i d a , P e n n s y l v a n i a . Texas, a n d

t h e h i s t o r y o f h e l i c o p t e r design. Igor

Corporation, a n d Sikorsky's talents

aircraft i n t h e 1950s. H o w e v e r , it w a s

w i t h n e w high-speed helicopter

Poland. The Black H a w k . S-76 a n d

Sikorsky was b o r n m the Ukraine i n

w e r e u s e d t o d e s i g n a series o f l a r g e

the lightweight but powerful turbine

d e s i g n s . I n 2 0 1 0 test

S-92 continue in production, the

engine that made this a reality. T h e

X 2 , w i t h its c o a x i a l r o t o r , r e a c h e d

C H - 5 3 K is n e a r i n g c o m p l e t i o n , a n d

skeletal S - 6 4 S k y c r a n e , w i t h its

speeds o f 2 8 8 m p h

c o n s t r u c t i o n has b e g u n o n its S - 9 7

1889. H e w a s i n t e r e s t e d i n

l i v i n g boats f o r c o m m e r c i a l a n d

science f r o m a y o u n g age

m i l i t a r y use. D u r i n g t h i s t i m e h e

a n d d u r i n g a n early t r i p

m a i n t a i n e d his i n t e r e s t i n v e r t i c a l

to Germany he came

flight,

across t h e w o r k o f t h e

i n 1929 a n d 1931 a n d

Wright brothers. He immediately decided that his f u t u r e lay i n aviation.

ш

After srodymg engineering

Igor Sikorsky

planes i n Russia. S i k o r s k y

0889-1972)

t h e o u t b r e a k of w a r saw

only German development continuing,

Sikorsky was able t o develop his

h e w o r k e d as a s c h o o l t e a c h e r b e f o r e

opening u p opportunities for Sikorsky

first h e l i c o p t e r s f o r t h e US A r m y

t o t r y a n d c a t c h u p . H i s first successful

A i r Force. T h e R - 4 carried o u t t h e

A e r o E n g i n e e r i n g C o r p - i n 1923. m o s t l y w i t h t h e h e l p o f Russian immigrants. W i t h their support, he b u i l t a n d flew o n e o f t h e first t w i n e n g i n e d aircraft i n t h e US. t h e S - 2 9 A . I n 1929 t h e c o m p a n y b e c a m e p a n o f

Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Astronauts from the 1969 Apollo 12 moon landing mission await collection by a SH-3 Sea King helicopter. The Sea King has also been used for disaster relief efforts.

helicopter, t h e VS-300, began testing

first-ever

i n S e p t e m b e r 1939 i n C o n n e c t i c u t . T o

and pioneered anti-submarine

the cabin in the S-61. the turbine

b e g i n w i t h , it w a s h a r d t o c o n t r o l a n d ,

m i s s i o n s w i t h t h e US Coast G u a r d

engine provided not only ample

l i k e m o s t e a r l y h e l i c o p t e r s at test

a n d Royal Navy. T h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e

p a s s e n g e r space b u t g r e a t l y i m p r o v e d

stage, i t w a s b e d t o t h e g r o u n d w i t h

1950s s a w t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f b i g g e r

performance, marking a dramatic

cables. A n u m b e r o f i m p r o v e m e n t s

helicopters to carry troops i n t o battle.

change in helicopter development.

helicopter rescue mission

"The helicopter's role In saving lives represents one of the most glorious pages in the history of human flight."

fighting

wildfires,

Alongside the S k y c r a n e , ^ Sikorsky developed the heavy-lift S-65 w i t h a n unobstructed cabin a n d tail ramp. As the CH-53, this p o w e r f u l helicopter was active d u r i n g the Vietnam War. A d d i n g a third engine i n 1974 created t h e e v e n m o r e p o w e r f u l CH-53E. This has n o w developed i n t o the larger C H - 5 3 K , able t o c a r r y loads o f 35,0531b (15,900 kg) a n d d u e to enter service w i t h the Marines In 2018.

^ ^ ^ ^

I g o r S i k o r s k y passed a w a y I f n i n 1 9 7 2 at t h e a g e o f 8 3 . h a v i n j j S f l continued w o r k almost u p to

|S

his death. He left n o t j u s t a legacy b u t a t a l e n t e d t e a m t o continue driving the c o m p a r e ! forward. In the year of his

IGOR SIKORSKY w e r e m a d e b e f o r e it w a s a b l e t o fly

( 4 4 4 k m / h ) . Igor's legacy continues.

construction around the world! W i t h t h e success o f t h e V S - 3 0 0 ,

e m i g r a t e d t o t h e US i n 1919. I n i t i a l l y , s e t t i n g u p hts o w n c o m p a n y - S i k o r s k y

test, a n d c o m p l e t i o n f a c i l i t i e s n o w i n

harvesting timber, a n d iiv

h a d a l l flown successful

d q H

t h e y s u b m i t t e d t h e S - 7 0 d e s i g n -1 These aircraft increased t h e cabin

A boat-shaped h u l l a n d outrigger

in a US A r m y u t i l i t y helicopter J competition. I n 1976 the aircraft

freely i n M a y 1940. The design was

space b y m o v i n g t h e b u l k y p i s t o n

finalized

floats

engines t o the nose a n d became

capability, w h i l e the t w i n engines

the focus of Sikorsky p r o d u c t i o n .

p r o v i d e d a degree of safety i n the

than 2.100 versions have been b u l h

event of one falling.

a n d t h e t y p e is s t i l l I n p r o d u c t i o n .

i n 1941 w i t h t h e " p e n n y

farthing" layout of a m a i n lifting rotor and a small directional tail rotor. Sikorsky S-38 r the Sikorsky S-38 t amphibious plane

The arrival of the smaller and

gave the aircraft a n a m p h i b i o u s

was selected a n d e n t e r e d p i o d u c t f 6 S j | as t h e B l a c k H a w k . S i n c e t h e n m o r t T

lighter but more p o w e r f u l turbine

B y t h e late 1960s S i k o r s k y w a s

e n g i n e f o r use i n h e l i c o p t e r s f r o m

developing e v e n larger helicopters.

t h e l a t e 1950s w a s t o r e v o l u t i o n i z e

I n t r o d u c e d t h e S - 7 6 , Its first h e l i c o p t e r

T h e v e t e r a n designer h a d l o n g seen

designed p u r e l y f o r c i v i l i a n use.

Sikorsky's designs Placed o n t o p o f

a flying c r a n e a m o n g h i s v i s i o n s a n d

Raider, u s i n g t e c h n o l o g y f r o m t h e

t h e US A r m y d u r i n g t h e V i e t n a m War,

i n service t o d a y

h e l i c o p t e r s b y 1939, b u t

T o d a y S i k o r s k y has g r o w n far

X 2 t o r e a c h speeds o f u p t o 2 7 6 m p h

built by Erikson Air-Crane remain

France, a n d G e r m a n y

(463km/h).

b e y o n d its roots w i t h m a n u f a c t u r i n g ,

m i l i t a r y S-64s a n d n e w examples

helicopter d e v e l o p m e n t i n Europe. Great Britain.

of the

position, f o u n d w i d e s p r e a d use w i t h recovering fallen aircraft. Surplus

w a t c h i n g t h e progress o f

i n Paris a n d e n j o y i n g s o m e e a r l y success i n b u i l d i n g

unusual, rearward-facing operator

filing patent applications

flights

In t h e same year the c o m p a n y also

1976

The introduction of the "Jumbo Jet" Boeing 747 in 1970 revolutionized commercial air transport as ticket prices fell and the era of mass-market air travel got underway. Fighter planes were routinely flying faster than the speed of sound, and Concorde - introduced in 1976 - brought the same performance to the civilian market. Helicopters continued to be a key tool of war, supporting ground troops in Vietnam, while vertical takeoff allowed powerful combat jets to be launched from ocean-going carriers.

2 0 1

US Classics and French Rivals

V Bede B D - 5 J M l c r o j e t 1 9 7 3 _ The Bede B0-5J Microjet Is the world's smallest jet. During the 1970s and 1960s It was a popular alrshow act, and also Engine 225 lb (102 kg) thrust appeared in the James Bond film Octopussy. Microturbo TRS-lfl turbojet However, the type was a demanding machine Top »peed 300mph (500 km/h) to fly, and several were lost in accidents.

Origin USA

B y t h e 1970s t h e l i g h t aircraft h a d b e c o m e a viable m e a n s o f

A P i p e r P A - 3 4 - 2 0 0 T Seneca I11971

reliable transportation. A t t h e start o f t h e decade fuel was still

Oriqln USA Engine 2 x 200hp Continental TSIO-36C) turbocharged air-cooled flat-6

r e l a t i v e l y c h e a p a n d . w h e n fitted w i t h d e c e n t i n s t r u m e n t s , a v i o n i c s , a n d d e - i c e systems» m a n y o f t h e s e m a c h i n e s w e r e q u i t e c a p a b l e o f flying r e a s o n a b l e d i s t a n c e s i n i n c l e m e n t w e a t h e r .

Top speed 195 mph (314 km/h?

V P i p e r P A - 2 8 RT TUrbo A r r o w IV 1 9 7 8 Origin USA Engine 200hp Continental TSIO-360 turbocharged air-cooled flat-6 Tbp speed 161 mph (259 km/h)

The Seneca first flew In 1971. and the type remains in production. The version shown Is the Seneca II. which Is fitted with turbocharged engines for improved performance at high altitude. An interesting facet of the Seneca is that the propellers rotate In opposite directions so there is no critical engine.

A Pitts S-2A 1973 Origin USA Engine 200hp Lycomtng AEM>360 air-cooled flat-4 Top speed 155 mph (249 km/h)

A two loot version of the famous Pitts S-i aerobeOc biplane. the Pitts S-2A dominated the acrobatic scene in the 1970s. Even today 4 is a fine aircraft with an excellent rot-rate, but it is inferior to the composite monoplane at top-tevef competitions.

A member of Piper's famous PA-28 family, the turbocharged Arrow IV was one of the fastest versions. Although later Arrows - such as the one shown - feature a T-tail. many pilots prefer the handling of earlier models.

A A v i o n s P i e r r e Robin CCA D R 4 0 0 Chevalier 1972

J

Origin France Engine teOhp L y c t y n q Q-320 «r-cooied hat-4 Top speed '