476 FLIGHT International, 17 September 1970

mini D E F E N C E

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 grow­ing 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 inter­vention of the super-powers, particularly when it is followed only at a later stage by adequate political control, might con­tribute 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 repre­sents 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 four­seater 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 Air­craft Corporation, have been in service with the RAAF since the early 1950s. The type first flew in 1950 and 62 were manufactured, production being com­pleted 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 a t 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. Aero­nautics 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 IAF 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 D r Kurt Tank, to meet an Indian Air Force require­ment. HAL, the Government-owned air­craft 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 electronic­ally 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.