Ah, sorry. Paranoia?

P-38. Terrible double-convex shape at the aft end of the fuselage pod, terminating at the wing trailing edge and holding the aircraft back with oodles of ‘interference’ drag (itself a misnomer). Kelly Johnson and team had a massive blindspot over this aerodynamic gaffe – even Teddy Petter wrote to Lockheed to explain the problem, but it was ignored. 50% more power only yielded 5% more speed throughout the aircraft’s development, and it needed planks under the wings to stop this horrible shape from pitching the Lightning uncontrollably downwards and fairings to increase pressures over the central part of the wing junction to stop the thing shaking itself apart in dives. The problem was quietly dealt with in the ‘Chain Lightning’ and Swordfish development aircraft, thanks to work by NACA Langley to establish the error beyond doubt using full size aircraft and amending the shape in a wind tunnel.

Agreed. To be frank, those who might benefit from a little historical education rarely go hillwalking or diving, and would not know or care what they were looking at if they did. The rest of us know enough to appreciate the nature of the sacrifice. The only real value of the decaying metal is ‘historicotechnical’.. my word 🙂 hence my idea above.

Further to it, it struck me last night that the facilty just needs a simple 3d scanner to be deployed for all acquisitions on the way in for this to become a major international resource for the long term.

I think the Italian bosses are trying to get the best of both worlds by a) Making it clear that they are in charge while at the same time b) trading on a reputation. They themselves called AgustaWestland a ‘brand’. Perhaps a bit like BMW Mini – or maybe more like Tata’s continued use of the Jaguar Land Rover brand(s). Makes sense, really. In fact I suspect the change isn’t that great.. a couple of management ‘economies’ and only one kind of headed notepaper. Still sad, though, in a way.

..and CD, you propose Government intervention in a free market? The Blessed Margaret would be spinning in her grave! Sorry, one for GD perhaps.

Not really, Snaf. A true manufacturing company like Westland is simply an asset. It doesn’t become more or less of one overall if it is sold to a larger organisation, though potentially less of one locally. Unfortunately a government, unless it is extremely interventionist, has no real say. Deeply sad, though. Having been present for the W100 celebrations I really got a sense of Somerset’s (justified) pride in ‘its’ aircraft manufacturer.

http://www.rafb24.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2798:bz717&catid=20&Itemid=394

Chinese ‘students’ who don’t feel they should queue. Back home everyone knows daddy owns the village, and they are used to us peasants making way. Cambridge is full of them!