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Part 2 Some Features of Flight Testing on the Fairey F.D.2 Leading up to the Successful Attempt on the World Speed Record and Subsequent Flying

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2016

L. P. Twiss*
Affiliation:
Fairey Aviation Company Ltd.

Extract

The opening paragraph in my first Flight Test Report after the initial flight of the Fairey Delta 2 still rings very true today:—

“This aircraft shews every promise of being a very pleasant flying machine. Soon after take-off, I had confidence in the handling characteristics, and I should like to congratulate all the design and engineering personnel who made this possible.”

This great day was the 6th October 1954, at Boscombe Down, and was the start of an intensely interesting development programme—not without its setbacks and excitements—which was highlighted last March by the gaining of the World's Absolute Air Speed Record for Britain. The early flights followed the pattern of most prototype aircraft and, but for an unfortunate setback on the fourteenth flight, went very smoothly.

Type
The Fairey Delta 2
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1957

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References

1. Hill, N. E. G. and Goldsmith, W. (1956). The Timing of the Attempt on the World Air Speed Record at Ford on 10th March 1956. R.A.E. Report INSTN-9, May 1956.Google Scholar
2. Hill, N. E. G. and Goldsmith, W. (1956). Improved Equipment for Timing World Air Speed Records at High Altitudes. R.A.E. Report INSTN-6, April 1956.Google Scholar