Northrop A-9A Photos–Part 4

More photos and info on the Northrop A-9A prototype aircraft.

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Additional blog posts are here

Goodyear GA-468 Inflatoplane (XAO2G-1)–Part II

More photos of the Goodyear GA-468 Inflatoplane (XAO2G-1). A very unique aircraft!

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Part I photos here

Douglas A-26 A/B Erection and Maintenance Manual

A copy of AN 01-40AJ-2 Erection and Maintenance Manual for the Douglas A-26BA/B Invader aircraft. Dated 20 May 1945.

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F2H-2/2B/2N/2P Banshee Illustrated Parts Breakdown

A copy of the F2H-2/2B/2N/2P Banshee Illustrated Parts Breakdown manual (An 01-245FBB-4) Dated 1 August 1955.

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Additional F-101 Voodoo Patches

A note from Jari on his submission of these two Vodoo patches: I was with 409 Squadron at CFB Comox many years ago working on the CF-101 Voodoo and here a couple of patches from that era. The top one shows the outline of a Voodoo with the British Columbia flag behind it with 409 All Weather Fighter Squadron on top and British Columbia Air National Guard at the bottom – there is no BCANG just the designer of the patch added it for humour. The bottom patch is the one we had in Load Section where I worked most of the time, the number on the nose of the CF-101 is 571, as our trade was  Weapon Tech Air 571. Credit and thanks to: Jari

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Other F-101 Voodoo patches here

Douglas A4M Skyhawk Flight Manual

A copy of the Douglas A4M Skyhawk Flight Manual 01-40AVM-1. Dated 1 November 1971.

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Douglas B-26B/C and JD-1 Flight Handbook

A copy of the Douglas B-26B/C and JD-1 Flight Handbook. TO 1B-26B-1. Dated 22 July 1953.

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Douglas B-26K Illustrated Parts Breakdown

A copy of the Douglas B-26K Illustrated Parts Breakdown manual. TO 1B-26K-4. Dated 15 September 1965.

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Douglas A-20A Havoc Flight Instructions Handbook

A copy of the Douglas A-20A Havoc Flight Instructions Handbook (TO 01-40AB-1). dated March 15 1941.

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Consolidated B-32 Dominator Flight Manual

A copy of the Consolidated B-32 Dominator Flight Manual. Dated 15 July 1945.

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Avro Lancaster I/III/X Pilot’s Notes

A better copy of the Pilot’s Notes (A.P. 2062A-P.N.) for the Avro Lancaster I/III/X aircraft. Dated May 1944. Thanks Steve! Credit: Steve Billings

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Douglas Dakota IV Pilot’s Notes

A copy of the Pilot’s Notes (A.P. 2445D-P.N.) for the Douglas Dakota IV aircraft. Dated June 1946.

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Avro Lancaster I/III/VII/X Pilot’s Notes

A copy of the Pilot’s notes (A.P. 2062A-P.N.) for the Avro Lancaster I/III/VII/X aircraft. Dated May 1944.

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Towing with the Vertol 44 Brochure

A Vertol company brochure that ilustrates the towing capacities of the Vertol 44 (Military H-21 Workhorse) helicopter. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

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McDonnell Alpha Draco Missile–30th Year Reunion

A decent xerox of the Alpha Draco Missile – 30th Year Reunion Notes. Lots of info on this little known project. Credit: L.M. “Roy” Reitter Collection

ALPHA DRACO [Air Force)
Air-to-surface experimental missile entered by McDonnell
Aircraft in the BOLD ORION (later SKYBOLT) competition.
Solid propellant. Mission: to demonstrate the feasibility of air-
launched ballistic missiles.

ALPHA DRACO Fact Sheet
Written and Edited by Cliff Lethbridge

From:  https://www.spaceline.org/rocketsum/alpha-draco.html

Classification: Research Rocket

Length: 46 feet, 1 inch

Diameter: 2 feet, 7 inches

Finspan: 7 feet, 1 inch

Alpha Draco, also known as Model 122B Test Vehicle, was built by McDonnell Aircraft in support of Air Force high-altitude research activities. Just three were launched from Cape Canaveral.

Launched from a mobile trailer/erector launcher designed for the Honest John missile, Alpha Draco was a two-stage solid-fueled rocket. It carried an aeroballistic nosecone payload.

Although the rocket was launched like a ballistic missile weapon, the payload was designed to reach a high altitude, then be placed on a level flight path by utilizing its own lifting characteristics, which could be done without the use of wings.

Since the payload could then glide toward its target unpowered, without reaching space altitudes, a weapon utilizing this capability could theoretically carry a heavier weapons payload than a purely ballistic missile weapon. It would not need to fly as high to be able to cover the same distances.

The concept was known as boost-glide since the first and second stage boosters would carry the payload to its desired altitude, then the payload would glide toward its target.

It had been called the skip-bomber by German rocket scientists during World War II, although the Germans could never thoroughly test the theory. Alpha Draco, on the other hand, successfully tested the technique, which had been studied and refined carefully by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) well into the 1950's.

In a typical flight profile, the Alpha Draco was launched on a nearly horizontal angle of about 100 degrees. The first stage booster shut down and was jettisoned at an altitude of about 42,000 feet, then the unpowered second stage and payload continued a ballistic trajectory. The second stage fired at an altitude of about 65,000 feet.

The second stage burned out at an altitude of about 92,000 feet about 40 miles downrange of the launch site. The aeroballistic payload, which remained attached to the second stage, then achieved a nearly level glide path, gradually decreasing its altitude until being programmed to begin a terminal dive and impact the ocean about 240 miles downrange of the launch site.

In addition to validating the boost-glide concept, Alpha Draco yielded important data on the aerodynamics of hypersonic flight as well as materials that can withstand high temperatures. The payload employed a pioneering slow roll as it glided to help distribute heat evenly throughout the structure. Although short-lived, the program was valuable in U.S. missile technology evolution.

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FH-1 Phantom Pilots Handbook

A copy of Navy Pilot’s Handbook #AN 01-245FA-1, for the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom aircraft, dated 1 September, 1949.

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RF/YRF-101A Voodoo Flight Manual

  A copy of the USAF Flight Manual TO-1F-101(R)(Y)A-1 for the McDonnell RF/YRF-101A Voodoo aircraft. Dated 1 November 1961.

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William Phillips–Aviation Artist

William Phillips is now a renowned aviation artist and the artist of choice for many collectors. Here is a selection of his aviation art.

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The Brightest New Jet Under the Sun

A company brochure introducing the DC-10 aircraft. Has 3-view drawings and other info. Credit: L.M. “Roy” Reitter Collection

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Shuttle Orbiter Aft Propulsion System

A short company brochure to introduce the Shuttle Orbiter Aft Propulsion System as built by McDonnell Douglas. Credit: L.M. “Roy” Reitter Collection

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America’s 20th Century Space Travelers

A great two sheet listing of all Mecury, Gemini, Apollo and Skylab missions. From Mcdonell Douglas Corp. Credit: L.M. “Roy” Reitter Collection

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F-101 Voodoo Patches

Several original McDonell F-101 VooDoo patches. Credit: L.M. “Roy” Reitter Collection

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McDonnell F4H-1 - Early Internal Memos

A number of early McDonell internal company memos on the F4H-1 project. Interesting reading! Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

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F-101B Voodoo and Cockpit Layout Walk Around

A few walk around photos of McDonnell F-101B-85-MC Voodoo Serial: 57-0282 at Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ. Credit Michael Benolkin

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McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo Walk Around

McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo Walk Around Photos. (56 photos.) Some nice detail shots of a McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo (Serial No. 101030), USAF Serial No. 57-0354), C/N 532 at Comox Air Force Museum, 19 Wing, CFB Comox, British Columbia. Also, McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo, (Serial No. 101057), USAF (Serial No. 57-0429), C/N 607 at same base. Credit: Percy Olson

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Douglas Boston IV Pilot’s Notes

A copy of AP 2023D-PN, the Douglas Boston IV Pilots Notes. Dated February 1945.

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Boeing B-17F & G, Fortress Mk. II Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions

A copy of the Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for the Boeing B-17F & G,  Fortress Mk. II aircraft.

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XF-85 Goblin Print Article–Part 6

An article from Aviation News magazine dated June 2011, “McDonnell’s Unmanageable Goblin”. Written by Hugh W. Cowin. An interesting article.

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Other XF-85 articles and info here

Douglas RA-3B Skywarrior Flight Manual

A copy of the Navy Flight Manual NAVWEPS 01-40ATB-1 for the Douglas RA-3B Skywarrior aircraft. This manual is dated 1 October 1965.

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Douglas X-3 Stiletto Photos–Part 2

Some more Douglas X-3 photos.

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Douglas X-3 Stiletto Photos–Part 1 is here

Allison Model V-1710-35 Engine Handbook of Operation

A copy of the Allison Model V-1710-35 Engine Handbook of Operation manual. Dated October 21, 1941.

Used in aircraft like the Bell FM-1 Airacuda, Bell FL Airabonita, Bell P-39 Airacobra ,Bell P-6 Kingcobra ,Boeing XB-38 Flying Fortress, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender ,Curtiss XP-60A ,Curtiss P-37 ,Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster ,Lockheed P-38 Lightning ,North American A-36 Apache ,North American F-82 Twin Mustang anbdNorth American P-51 Mustang.

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Learjet Early Design Brochure

A copy of a Learjet Early Design Brochure. Lots of good info from Bill Lear on the early Learjet! Dated 1962. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

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Grumman FM-2 Wildcat Pilot’s Handbook

An copy of  Navy Pilot’s Handbook AN 01-190FB-1, for the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat aircraft, this one dated 15 Juner 1945.

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Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer Flight Manual

A copy of the Consolidated company generated PB4Y-2 Privateer Flight Manual. Dated 1945.

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F-18 Arctic Splinter Camouflage

A few photos of another interesting paint scheme! This time the F-18’s Arctic Splinter Camouflage of the VFC-12 “Fighting Omars” at Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach, VA.
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F-15 65th Aggressor Squadron Desert Camouflage Scheme

Several photos of the interesting F-15 65th Aggressor Squadron Desert Camouflage Scheme.

From Airwingspotter: “The Desert Scheme consists of 2 tone tan and Brown of FS 30140 and FS 30279. The leading edge has the Grey FS 36251. Nose cone retains the Mod Eagle Grey FS 36176. A very distinctively colored camouflage scheme where it mimic Soviet era jet fighters like the MIG-23 or the newer SU-27 with the Russian Style Bord Number. The pattern has a tightly sprayed soft edge camo pattern.”

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More info here

Robert Taylor Aviation Artwork

A set of 47 great bomber and fighter aircraft artwork from the artist Robert Taylor.

“The name Robert Taylor has been synonymous with aviation art for over a quarter of a century and he is widely regarded as the world’s premier painter of aviation subjects, and is certainly the most widely collected artist in the history of the genre.”

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Further info on the artist Robert Taylor here

Douglas A-20G Havoc Erection and Maintenance Manual

A copy of the Douglas A-20G Havoc Erection and Maintenance Manual, AN 01-40AL-2, dated 1945.

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C-17A Globemaster III Walk Around–Part II

Walk around photos of the C-17A Globemaster III. Taken at Abbotsford airshow, Abbotsford International Airport in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Credit: Ross Spenard

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Part I C-17A walk around is here

I Remember Rockwell Bldg 290

Attached is a essay called “I Remember Bldg 290”. It’s about Anthony D. Vidana’s time working for Rockwell Space Division for the Apollo Test and Operation (ATO) at the Apollo Spacecraft and Space Shuttle factory in Downey, CA. Credit: Anthony D. Vidana PE

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Man On The Moon Booklet

A copy of the company made Apollo 11 book that employees could purchase at work at Space Division Rockwell during the Apollo era. Dated 1969. Credit: Anthony D. Vidana PE

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The Story of Space Station Mir

A comprehensive history of the Russian space station MIR. Written by David M. Harland. Dated 2005.

Details how a succession of Salyut space stations led to the development of Mir. Depicts Mir’s assembly piece by piece, in space, between 1982 and 1996. Describes how Mir became an international research laboratory. Advises how Mir technology went on to form the ‘core modules’ of the ISS. The definitive account of Mir throughout its life through to de-orbiting in March 2001.

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50 Years of X-Planes

A set of posters issued by Popular Mechanics magazine listing all the X-planes of the past 50 years. Dated 1996. A nice summary in one place!

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Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight Pilot Handbook

A copy of the Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight Pilot’s handbook, Report No. AN 01-40FAB-1, dated July 15 1952.

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The Douglas F3D-1 Skyknight Pilot’s handbook is here

Goodyear GA-468 Inflatoplane (XAO2G-1)–Part I

This original concept of an all-fabric inflatable aircraft was based on Taylor McDaniel's inflatable rubber glider experiments in 1931. Designed and built in only 12 weeks, the Goodyear Inflatoplane was built in 1956, with the idea that it could be used by the military as a rescue plane to be dropped in a hardened container behind enemy lines. The 44 cubic ft (1.25 cubic meter) container could also be transported by truck, jeep trailer or aircraft. There were at least two versions. It took about five minutes to inflate to about 25 psi (170 kPa); at full size, it was 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m) long, with a 22 ft (6.7 m) wingspan. A pilot would then hand-start the two-stroke cycle, 40 horsepower (30 kW) Nelson engine, and takeoff with a maximum load of 240 pounds (110 kg). On 20 US gallons (76 L) of fuel, the aircraft could fly 390 miles (630 km), with an endurance of 6.5 hours. Maximum speed was 72 miles per hour (116 km/h), with a cruise speed of 60 mph. Later, a 42 horsepower (31 kW) engine was used in the aircraft.

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Evolution of the F-4 Phantom II

A McAir account and introduction to the F-4 Phantom II given by H.D. Barkley, Vice President of McAir Engineering. Presented at the Technical Program Management Siminar of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers on 20 April 1971. Credit: Bill Spidle

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Bell YFM1B Operation and Flight Instructions

A copy of the Bell YFM1 and YFM1B Operation and Flight Instructions Handbook. Dated June 1, 1940.

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Bell YFM1A Operation and Flight Instructions

A copy of the Bell YFM1A Operation and Flight Instructions Handbook. Dated December 20, 1940.

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