FUELLING IN AIR

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 18

FUELLING IN AIR

Development By R.A.F. (Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, May 17. The ability to send fighters speedily from Britain to anywhere in the world has been advanced. An all-weather Javelin squadron, based in Scotland, which has been responsible for most of the development of mid-air refuelling, has now perfected it for night flying. Previously this was possible only in daylight. The development means that in an emergency the R.A.F. could have fighters at any trouble spot within 4000 miles in nine hours’ flying time.

This reduces the importance of overseas staging posts and is a step towards reducing the squadrons based overseas and their high cost. The R.A.F. uses the Valiant V-bomber as a “tanker.”

At night, lights on the fuselage illuminate the wings and the entire fuel bay is a blaze of light. The fuel hose which trails behind is also illuminated.

A “traffic lights” system tells the pilot of the refuelling aircraft the situation. The operation is carried out at 300 miles per hour and at about 30,000 feet. It takes on average 12 minutes to complete.

Car Hits Pole.—Head injuries were suffered by James Peter Bremner, of 8 Rowcliffe crescent, Avonside, when a car hit a pole at the corner of Linwood avenue and Worcester street about 3 a.m. yesterday. Mr Bremner was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital.