476

FLIGHT International, 17 September 1970

mini
DEFENCE
does not mean that the super-powers
have at last assumed the decisive r61e
within the context of the Arab-Israel
conflict. But it does indicate their grow-
ing importance. Events have made it
harder for the local powers to avoid the
pressure and advice of the super-powers.
On the other hand, the growing inter-
vention of the super-powers, particularly
when it is followed only at a later stage
by adequate political control, might con-
tribute to a dangerous escalation."
Australia' s Defence Expenditure
A DEFENCE VOTE OF SA1.137 million
(530 million) was recently proposed by
the Australian Federal Treasurer, Mr
Leslie H. Bury, when he introduced the
Federal Budget in Canberra. This repre-
sents a 3.1 per cent increase over last
year' s figure. In the budget, provision has
been made for a 1970-71 expenditure of
$A13 million {6 million) for the lease
of 24 McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms
from the United States Government.
RAAF Trainer Choice
THE CHOICE OF a new basic trainer type
for the Royal Australian Air Force, to
replace its Winjeels, seems to lie between
a Japanese type, the Fuji FA-200 (the
180 h.p. version), and a New Zealand
type, the Airtourer, built by Aero Engine
Services. The RAAF has specified a four-
seater fully aerobatic type.
A Japanese mission from Fuji Heavy
Industries has recently been in Canberra
for talks on the Fuji FA-200. But the
existing trade agreement between Aus-
tralia and New Zealand, and the
Australian Government' s hope to sell
licence-produced Macchi MB.326s to the
RNZAF, could swing the choice towards
the Australian - designed and New
Zealand-built type.
The initial order for 30 aircraft,
whichever type is chosen, is likely to be
placed before the end of this year.
Winjeels, the three-seat basic trainer
manufactured by Commonwealth Air-
craft Corporation, have been in service
with the RAAF since the early 1950s.
The type first flew in 1950 and 62 were
manufactured, production being com-
pleted in 1958.
Swiss Decision Delay?
SWITZERLAND'S DECISION on a new type
of ground-attack aircraft to replace her
Venoms, a decision due to be taken by
the end of 1970, is likely to be delayed
still further by the illness of the Federal
Defence Minister, Herr Rudolf Gnagi,
who has been in (hospital with heart
trouble.
Herr Gnagi has been invited by the
Austrian Government to attend military
manoeuvres at Allensteig, Lower Austria,
from October 12 to 19 and this will give
him a chance to see the Austrian Air
Force' s recently acquired Saab 105XTs in
action. Saab has offered Switzerland this
type, which will participate with the
other contenders (Flight, August 27, page
325) in the fly-off which is proposed to
be held at Emmen air base at the end of
October.
Re-powered Maruts?
A POSSIBILITY THAT Hindustan. Aero-
nautics HF-24 Marut single-seat fighters
might be re-engined with Rolls-Royce
Turbomeca Adours, powerplant of the
Sepecat Jaguar, has been reported from
New Delhi. Mk 1 HF-24s are powered
Italian Stol type and Burmese Air Force
trainer: at left, the second prototype of the
Siai-Marchetti SM.I0I9, which recently made
its first flight; the type is to be produced for
the light aviation branch of the Italian Army.
Left, below, a Burmese AF 1-33 seen recently
at Rangoon
by two Rolls-Royce Bristol Orpheus 703
turbo jets a$d the Mk 1R version with
reheated Orpheus 703s. The Mk Is, in
service with the Indian Air Force, are
just supersonic (Mach 1.02) at 40,000ft.
The IRs, also in I AF squadrons, can
reach Mach 1.5. There is a Mk I T
trainer version.
It was proposed some years ago that
the Marut should be re-engined with the
E-300 turbojet being developed by
Helwan Aircraft, and in 1966 an HF-24
was sent to Egypt to serve as a flying
test-bed. However, development of this
engine was abandoned (see Flight for
February 19, pages 280-281) and when
India decided to build the MiG-21 under
licence, negotiations with Egypt were
broken off.
Application of Adours to the HF-24,
with all the engineering implications of
replacing a turbojet by a turbofaD
engine, would involve nozzle re-design
among other problems. It is understood
that Rolls-Royce Turbomeca would be
willing to supply India with Adours,
should these be designated as power-
plants for a Mk 2 Marut.
The HF-24 project was initiated at
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in 1956,
under the overall guidance of the
German aircraft designer Dr Kurt Tank,
to meet an Indian Air Force require-
ment. HAL, the Government-owned air-
craft company which has factories in
many different parts of India, has its
headquarters in Bangalore. It has also
produced MiG-21s, Gnats, HJT-16
trainers, Alouette helicopters and HS.748s.
It built Orpheus engines under licence
for the Gnats and HF-24s and there is
a possibility that, should Adours be
procured to re-engine the latter type,
they would be produced by HAL under
a licence agreement with Rolls-Royce
Turbo meca.
Nimrod Crew Training
A MARITIME CREW TRAINER is shortly to
be added to the Nimrod simulator already
installed at RAF St Mawgan. The latter,
first of four being built by Redifon Ltd
at a cost of some 3.25 million, was put
in before the arrival of the first aircraft
at the Maritime Operational Training
Unit based on the station: one of the
most advanced simulators of its type in
the world, it utilises a full colour visual
system which can depict every type of
meteorological condition the Nimrods
are likely to encounter. It caters for
pilots and flight engineers; the crew
trainer, which can be linked electronic-
ally to it or can operate independently,
will give equivalent simulation to the
tactical navigators and air electronics
officers and enable Nimrod aircrew to
train as an entity.