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One of the motivations
for posting these photos from a 1945 issue of Flying Age magazine is the
appearance of an F2G Corsair,
of which I own a Cox control line model from back in the 1960's. Having been published
shortly after the end of World War II, there are some things being shown that
probably would not have been declassified a year earlier, like the De Havilland
Vampire jet airplane. I have to admit to not knowing what the "pannier" was mounted to the belly
of the converted Halifax bomber. A pannier is a basket, as most cyclists probably
know. The word derives from the Old French "panier," meaning bread basket. Another
bit of news to me was the "Lily" portable sea-drome that simulated aircraft carrier
conditions to help train pilots for takeoffs and landings on the oceans. Another
very interesting item is the "tube" which housed three Jake reconnaissance planes
aboard a giant "Jap" submarine.
Flying into Focus
"Lily" in British parlance, is a portable sea-drome consisting
of a number of buoyancy cans with hexagonal surfaces so linked that they give to
the motion of the sea and still are rigid enough for planes. International News
photo
Tactical conversion is this metal freight pannier on the former
Halifax bomber. The pannier can be let down by winches to a trolley, rolled away
and replaced by another loading pannier with speed. British Combine photo
Like picket fences are these new fighter brakes on the Black
Widow. The brakes slow the night fighter in flight to give qunners time for careful
aim. In foreground, new, wide-bladed propeller to absorb thrust of more powerful
engines on P-61C. Northrop Aircraft photo
The Hawker Tempest II has the novel distinction of being released
after the Mark V version, It is powered by a Bristol Centaurus V engine of over
2,500 hp. Its span is forty-one feet; length, thirty-three-and-a-half feet. British
Combine photo
The F2G, looking remarkably like the Corsair, has been unveiled
by its makers, Goodyear Aircraft. The new Navy fighter has specially designed vertical
tail surfaces, including automatic auxiliary rudder and bubble canopy. International
News Photo
Designed to carry the eleven-ton British citybuster, this Avro
Lincoln bomber was constructed for long-range raids on Japan. It carries a crew
of seven, is powered by four Merlin engines, each of 1,759 hp. Maximum speed is
about 320 m.p.h. The Lincoln never had a chance to do its stuff against Japan where
it was to be used as a softener. British Combine Photo
Still another P-38 is this M version of the Lightning, a twin-place,
radar-equipped night fighter, very smart in black. Close-up shows the radome installation
below the cannon-spiked pod. U.S. Army photo from Acme
A Swordfish (above) lands on a Lily. The peculiar name is said
to come from a resemblance to a cluster of lily pods. Inventor R. M. Hamilton claims
it will remain level even in thirty-six foot waves. International News photo
This obsolete old Douglas B-23 medium bomber is being transformed
into a very fancy private plane (see below).
Hughes Aircraft has converted it to a flying office for
a wealthy (very) executive. It can carry eight to twelve passengers in comfort.
Remodeled B-23s have a cruising speed of about 240 m.p.h. and a range of 600 miles.
Acme photos
This tube housed three Jake (reconnaissance) Japanese planes
aboard a giant Jap submarine taken by the U.S. Navy after surrender. Nearly twice
as large as any American sub, this ship is almost 400 feet long, forty feet wide,
of over 300 tons displacement. International News Photo
New contender for "world's fastest" is jet-propelled De Havilland
Vampire, powered by a Goblin, similar to the P-80 engine. The air enters through
the leading edge, discharges at cabin's rear. British Official photo
Note the cross-boom link on the fins to avoid interfering with
jet discharge. It is all metal, except the cockpit of wood like the Mosquito and
the Hornet. British Official photo
Posted July 2, 2022
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