Page Content (OCR)
mance figure had been re-estimated as a max- imum speed of Mach 2, with a combat radius of about 500 miles (804km) using VTO and 700 miles (1,126km) using GETO. The payload of this aircraft has been quoted in USAF docu- ments as a very modest 1,000 Ib (453kg). So, if Configuration B had been configured as an interceptor with two air-to-air missiles and associated electronics, the extra weight would easily have exceeded this figure. In the light bomber role a payload of 1,000 Ib (456kg) would have been inadequate for any realistic mission and the carriage of just one nuclear weapon would have exceeded this limit. A typical free-fall tactical nuclear bomb of that era (like the US Mk5 or similar British Red Beard) weighed approxi- mately 1,900 Ib (861kg); carrying one of these would have created a noticeable drop in per- formance. But the real puzzle is trying to fig- ure out how the designers planned to carry any external ordnance, which would have been almost impossible. Early drawings of the WS-606A suggest that an extra dorsal area behind the cockpit would have been fitted to production aircraft for additional fuel and ordnance. However, this area seems too small for air-to-surface missiles and would obviously be unsuitable for a small bomb load. Perhaps there were plans to mount two AAMs above the wing like the Anglo-French Jaguar strike-aircraft, but it plans to mount two AAMs above the wing like the Anglo-French Jaguar strike-aircraft, but it Planform view of the Avro Canada PV.704 showing the proposal for a dome-shaped cockpit canopy. USAF Avro Canada PV.704 with dome-shaped cockpit canopy in USAF markings. USAF Across-section of the Avro Canada PV.704 showing the pilot seated directly above the upper turbine bearing. USAF Planform view of the Avro Canada PV.704 showing the proposal for a dome-shaped cockpit canopy. USAF UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE FLAME HOLDERS: FLIGHT CONTROL SHUTTERS — OUTER WING INNER WING DIFFUSER SECTION LOWER COMPRESSER 72 Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft