Air Pictorial 1957-12
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Air Pictorial's photo-review
BOWLER-HATTED BOMBERS? The Convair P4Y-2 Privateer (photo) and the Boeing VB-17G Flying Fortress were photographed in October at Van Nuys, California, by W. M. Bodie who believes that these two aircraft are being prepared for a new Hollywood aviation "epic". The VB-17G has the U.S.A.F. white star insigne removed from starboard side of the fuselage, but otherwise has full military regalia plus civil registration N39356 on the fin. The rear fuselage has been converted for V.I.P. use - note the curtains on the window, formerly the waist gunners' position.
DE LUXE DC-3. More and more Douglas DC-3s are being modernised in the U.S.A., by AiResearch Aviation Service Coy. (Garrett Corpn.), Remmert-Werner Inc., and others. Photo: A modified DC-3 belonging to Avro Aircraft Ltd. (CF-DJT, c/n. 19039), Note the new, small-diameter cowlings.
A visitor to London Airport recently an AiResearch DC-3 modified to Maximizer standard with close cowls, spinners, revised nose and fully-enclosed main wheels. This DC-3 is owned by the Richfield Oil Company of Texas. Registration N1075M.
Few photographs have been published in this country of Belgian-constructed Hawker Hunter fighters. Both Avions Fairey S.A. of Gosselies and S.A.B.C.A. of Haren-Brussels are engaged in the production of Hunter F. Mks. 4 and 6 for the Royal Belgian Air Force. Illustrated is a Belgian Hunter F. Mk. 4, serial ID8.
CAN YOU IDENTIFY? Recent strange bird whose detailed identities have defeated their respective photographers is a much-modified Curtiss P-40 (sub-series N ?) Warhawk at Fullerton, California, bearing registration N1251N on the port wing only. Note the low-drag cockpit hood;
A considerably modified Avro (Victory Aircraft, Toronto-built) Lancaster Mk. 10-P (serial KB976, code MN976) of the R.C.A.F.'s 408th Photo Squadron, is equipped with special mapping devices.
Naval Aircraft Factory (Convair PBY-6A) PBN-1 Catalina is a luxury executive amphibian. Note the rear ventral entry stairs and the revised, square-topped fin.
CANUCK SKYHOOKS. A 20-ft. EM (electromagnetometer) "bird", designed by the Finnish engineer Vaino Ronka, is used to detect base ore deposits in Canada by Aeromagnetic Surveys Ltd. of Toronto in conjunction with Kenting Helicopters Ltd. of Oshawa; both companies being in the group controlled by Hunting Associates Ltd. Kenting purchased the first helicopter for commercial use in Canada in 1947. Helicopters used in EM-bird tests are a Bell Model 47D and (photo) a Bristol Type 171 Mk. 4 (CF-HVX).
CANUCK SKYHOOKS. A 20-ft. EM (electromagnetometer) "bird", designed by the Finnish engineer Vaino Ronka, is used to detect base ore deposits in Canada by Aeromagnetic Surveys Ltd. of Toronto in conjunction with Kenting Helicopters Ltd. of Oshawa; both companies being in the group controlled by Hunting Associates Ltd. Kenting purchased the first helicopter for commercial use in Canada in 1947. Helicopters used in EM-bird tests are (photo) a Bell Model 47D and a Bristol Type 171 Mk. 4 (CF-HVX).
A Convair CV-440 Metropolitan is registered N440EL and is the second Napier-owned "Eland Convair" which is currently undergoing transformation to Eland N.El.6s.
One of the few remaining R.A.F.-operated Avro Lincoln heavy bombers is a B.Mk.2 (SX930) with yellow "code" lettering BTU-B signifying its use by the Bomber Command Training Unit, West Freugh, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland. Note that the familiar ventral radar (H2S) bath has been deleted.
BOWLER-HATTED BOMBERS? The Convair P4Y-2 Privateer (photo) and the Boeing VB-17G Flying Fortress were photographed in October at Van Nuys, California, by W. M. Bodie who believes that these two aircraft are being prepared for a new Hollywood aviation "epic". The Privateer (BuAer. serial 66317) retains all gun positions but no military insignia. Note the civil registration N66317 on the fin and under the port wing.
A ten-passenger Canadian-built (vintage 1936) Fairchild 82-D (CF-MAK, c/n. 64) photographed by Jack McNulty at Edmonton airport, Alberta in August. Originally designed for a 550-h.p, Pratt & Whitney Wasp T1D1, this revamped Model 82-D is now powered by a 1,200-h.p. P. & W. Twin Wasp R-1830-97, which must boost the original maximum speed of 153 m.p.h. into the "super-sub-sonic" class!
BEATING THE ATLANTIC? First view of a nose-wheel tricycle Auster Model J/4 (VH-BNQ, c/n. 2361, ex-G-AIJU) which has been rebuilt by Kingsford Smith Aviation Services Pty. of Bankstown, N.S.W. Originally this two-seater crashed at Mt. Perry, Queensland on 26th March 1951 and languished until the conversion was undertaken recintly.
[Ca.163] CAN YOU IDENTIFY? Recent strange bird whose detailed identities have defeated their respective photographers is an unidentified Italian lightplane. This single-seater strongly resembles a scaled-down Caproni Ca. 164.
The 42nd machine which has rubber de-icing boots on the leading edges of the wings, tailplane and fin; and is used for liaison duties. Both Corse IIs are based at Lanveoc-Poulmic (I'Aeronavale base) and belong to the 50th Navy Squadron.