DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERSONIC V.T.O. AIRLINER BY U.K. URGED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29178, 12 April 1960, Page 15

DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERSONIC V.T.O. AIRLINER BY U.K. URGED

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, April 11. An immediate start by British aviation on a supersonic airliner not only able to fly at 2000 m.p.h. but also able to take off and land vertically is advocated by the Air 'League of the British Empire in a report recommending various projects for the development of British air transport. Such an aircraft, says the report, is essential if Britain is to have world pre-eminence in the air. Other proposals are: An air bus capable of carrying troops, using jets for a vertical take-off and able to operate over medium distances. Airports closer to population centres and aircraft with rotors should be “vigorously encouraged” as a stepping stone to jetlift airliners. Automatic air traffic control using computers on the ground should be developed both for present aircraft and for vertical take-off and landing aircraft of the future. The “Guardian’s” air correspondent, commenting on the suggestion for a supersonic airliner, says it would probably be safe to say that no such ambitious proposal has ever been put forward by a responsible body before. “Interest will naturally centre on this proposal. In contrast with many aviation experts the league

believes Britain can and should go for an airliner flying at three times the speed of sound. But since it expects the Americans to do this first, it goes much farther. Britain, it says, must make a ’dramatic jump ahead’—and a direct lift with a battery of jet engines is the solution. This is said to be within Britain’s capacity and would put her ahead of all rivals in the supersonic transport field.” The chairman of the League is Sir Miles Thomas, a former chairman of 8.0.A.C. and the committee includes Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Cochrane, first Chief of Air Staff, R.N.Z.A.F,