F-4B/J and RF-4B Plane Captains' Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J and RF-4B Plane Captains' Handbook (P.S. 110), dated 1 May 1967. These handbooks are McAir Product Support publications.

Click here to download handbook (167.4 Megs)

F-4(B/C) Plane Captains' Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F-4(B,C) Plane Captains' Handbook (P.S. 61-1), dated 1 February 1964.

Click here to download handbook(190.5 Megs)

F-4K/M Plane Captains' Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F-4K/M Plane Captains' Handbook (P.S. 454), dated 1 April 1968.

Click here to download handbook (100.1 Megs)

F-4B/J Plane Captains' Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J Plane Captains' Handbook (P.S. 110), dated 1 January 1970.

Click here to download handbook (132.3 Megs)

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The Eagle Flies Article

A first person article by McAir test pilot Irv Burrows on the first flight of the F-15 Eagle at EAFB. Great F-15 background and first flight from takeoff to landing! This article first appeared in the Gateway Heritage, the Quarterly Magazine of the Missouri Historical Society, Summer 2003, Vol 24, No. 1. Credit: Missouri Historical Society via Jack Abercrombie

Click here to download article (34.9 Megs)

Polikarpov Po-2 Technical Manual

The basic Polikarpov Po-2 Technical Manual, dated 1946. Identification, capibilities and construction of the aircraft.

Click here to download manual (12 Megs)

Polikarpov Po-2 BC Flight Manual

The Polikarpov Po-2 BC Technical Flight Manual, dated 1946.

The Polikarpov PO-2 BC was a Russian utility biplane which first flew in 1927 and was produced between 1928 and 1952. As well as the training role it was also used in the ground attack, reconnaissance and liaison roles. Known as “Bed Check Charlie” in the Koren war.

Click here to download manual (103.4 Megs)

F-15 First 100 Flights Article

 

A fascinating first hand account of the F-15 Eagles first flights and the problems that had to be solved. This narrative is part of Jack Abercrombie’s memoirs. Jack was an Aerodynamics Project Engineer from 1971 to 1978. The first picture above shows most of the engineers at Edwards who supported the F-15 first flight. Credit: Jack Abercrombie

On a personal note, I ran one of the wind tunnel tests at Langley that resulted in the “Snag” horizontal mentioned in this memoir!

Click here to download this article (2.3 Megs)

Northrop A-9 and Fairchild A-10 Videos

Two videos made during the Northrop A-9 and Fairchild A-10 competition fly-off. Poor quality; but, unique! Credit: YouTube

Click here to download videos in one Zip file (37.5 Megs)

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II Photos

A number of photos of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II prototype and production aircraft. The A-10, of course, won the A-9/A-10 compition for production. Credit: Fairchild, USAF and as marked.

Click here to download photos in a Zip file (41 Megs)

A-10 Flight Manual here

Fairchild A-10 Facts and Figures article here

Boeing YC-14 Photos

 

A number of photos of the Boeing YC-14. This was the aircraft in competition with the MDC C-15. Credit: Boeing and as marked.

Click here to download all photos in one Zip file (20.3 Megs)

Martin Marietta HGM-25A Titan I Tech Manual

A copy of USAF Model HGM-25A Titan I Missile Weapon System Technical Manual, T.O. 21M-HGM25-1. Dated 10 October 1964. Missile, silo and operations information.

Click here to download manual (77.4 Megs)

Northrop A-9A Pilot's Briefing Notes

The “Competition Sensitive” Northrop A-9A Pilot's Briefing Notes, dated May 1972. Part of my Northrop find at EAFB!

Click here to download notes (63.4 Megs)

XV-1 Video

A nice video of the XV-1 Convertiplane during construction and testing. Credit: YouTube

Click here to download video (0.2 Megs)

XV-1 Additional Photos

Very poor quality photo copied photos of the XV-1 Convertiplane; but, the only ones I have seen with the instrument panel and the aircraft during construction. Photo numbers are on them for reference.

Click here to download photos in a one Zip file (105.9 Megs)

XV-1 Standard Aircraft Characteristics

McDonnell XV-1 Convertiplane Standard Aircraft Characteristics (SAC) sheets, dated 3 March 1952. XV-1.

Click here to download SAC (13.4 Megs)

XV-1 Model 82 Report–#1

McDonnell Aircraft Corp Report No. 2470, dated 3 March 1952. The “Bible” for the XV-1 Convertiplane! All the specs, types, rotor info and many drawings. This is a photocopy; but, it cleaned up O.K. Enjoy!

Click here to download report (78.3 Megs)

XV-1 Convertiplane in Bldg 42

A couple of photos I took of the XV-1 Convertiplane while it was stored in Bldg 42 Flight Test Hanger in 1963 before being sent to the Smithsonian. I had just started at McDonnell Aircraft and had no idea what this craft was; but, I had to take a couple of photos of it! (No, I wasn’t supposed to be taking photos, hence only these four!) Low quality photos; but, I guarantee that you won’t see any others of this aircraft while is was stored.

Click here to view photos

XV-1 Identification and Modification Plate Chart

Blueprint No 28-00006 Identification and Modification Plate Chart for model 82, XV-1 aircraft, Air Force Serial Numbers 53-4016 & 53-4017. Dated January 1953. Contains the Airplane Breakdown,General Notes & Contractor Designation and Serial Number Assignments.

Click here to download chart (24.6 Megs)

XV-1 Convertiplane Articles

A number od articles and facts I have collected over the years.

Click here to download articles in a Zip file (40.4 Megs)

The McDonnell XV-1 rotor system here

A monogram on the history, description and photos of the XV-1 here

XV-1 Convertiplane Drawings and 3-Views

A number of Loft Sheets, 3-views and drawings of the McDonnell Aircraft XV-1 Convertiplane.

Click here to download drawings as a Zip file(43.7 Megs)

XV-1 Convertiplane Photos

  The McDonnell XV-1(XH-35) was an experimental compound helicopter, developed for a joint research program with the United States Air Force and the United States Army. It was designated a "convertiplane" and explored technologies to develop an aircraft that could take off and land like a helicopter but fly at faster airspeeds, similar to a conventional airplane. The XV-1 would reach a speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), faster than any previous rotorcraft, but the program was terminated due to the complexity of the technology which gave only a modest gain in performance. Source: Wikipedia

Technical Notes:
Rotor Diameter: 9.5m (31 ft)
Wingspan: 7.9 m (26 ft)
Length: 9.1 m (30 ft)
Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 9 in)
Weights: Empty, 1,940 kg (4,277 lb)
Gross, 2,497 kg (5,505 lb)
Engine: Continental R-975-19 air-cooled radial, 550 horsepower
Crew : 2    
Note: Photos 31 thru 34 were taken by me in the BLDG 42 hanger in 1963

Click here to download photos in a Zip file (56.7 Megs)

Northrop A-9A Photos–Part 2

More photos and info on the Northrop A-9A prototype aircraft. The six photos were all taken during the a-9A/A-10 competition by Edwards Air Force personnel in May and June 1972. Also, I have included some articles and drawings that I have collected.

Click here to view photos and info

Northrop A-9A Photos–Part 1 is here

Additional A-9A blog posts here, here, here and here

YC-15 Additional Photos and Info

More photos and other info on the McDonnell Douglas YC-15. Includes the C-15 project badge, paintings, 3-views, manufacturer models and future types of this aircraft.

Click here to view photos and info

U.S. Army Visual Aircraft Recognition Manuals–Part 2

Another U.S. Army Visual Aircraft Recognition Field Manual FM 44-80, this time dated September 30 1996. Slightly different than part 1 offerings.

Click here to download field manual

Click here for part 1

F3H Demon Candid Photos #2

Another gift from the collection of William Rudolph comes more candid shots of F-3H-2N Demons. Dated April 1956. Photos appear to be at Lambert Airport and the XF-88 can be seen next to the Demon.

Click here to view photos

Part 1 of Bill’s Demon photos are here

YC-15 Photos

Sixty five photos of the McDonnell Douglas YC-15 aircraft.

Per “The Aviation Zone”: “In the early-1970s, five American companies submitted proposals to the U.S. Air Force after it issued its Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) requirement for a new jet-powered tactical airlifter to replace the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules. In 1972, two proposals were accepted for construction as the Boeing YC-14 and McDonnell Douglas YC-15 prototypes.

Both test aircraft were designed to a common cargo specification and utilized off-the-shelf engines to achieve the "Coanda Effect" (air turning on the convex side of an aerodynamic surface) to maximize lifting capability during STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) operations.…”

Two YC-15s (#72-1875 and #72-1876) were built with two different size wingspans, 132 feet (40.42m) and 110 feet (33.6m), respectively. Both aircraft are 124 feet (37.86m) in length.

First flown on 26 August 1975, a 600-hour test program followed. Funding cuts eventually cancelled the AMST program in 1979. Both the YC-14 and the YC-15 satisfied the AMST performance requirements, which would later be incorporated into the design of the larger C-17 Globemaster III transport.”

Click here to download photos in Zip file

Other YC-15 blogs here

Proposed C-15B blog here

Northrop A-9A 3-Views, Profiles, Videos and Article

Several Northrop A-9A 3-Views, Profiles and an article about the A-9A/A-10 from Aviation Week.

Click here to view 3-Views, Profiles and Article

Click here to download videos in Zip file (35.3 Megs)

Northrop A-9A Walk Around Photos

Three sets of Walk Around photos of A-9A, s/n 71-1368 (The number 2 aircraft) on display at March Field Air Museum, March Air Reserve Base, California. Credit: Bill Spidle, Aircraft Walk Around Center and Prime Portal

Northrop A-9A Walk Around March Field Museum #1 (26.0 Megs)

Northrop A-9A Walk Around March Field Museum #2 (1.2 Megs)

Northrop A-9A Walk Around March Field Museum #3 (1.8 Megs)

Northrop A-9A at EAFB

Photos that I took on my way to work at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in April of 1974. These photos show the two prototypes setting outside a base hanger. Not good photos; but, one of the few that I have found with both aircraft in one photo!

Click here to view photos

Northrop A-9A Photos–Part 1

Here are eighty six photos of the two prototype Northrop A-9A aircraft. The Northrop YA-9 was a prototype attack aircraft developed for the United States Air Force A-X program. The YA-9 was passed over in preference for the Fairchild Republic YA-10 that entered production as the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Aircraft 71-1367 is in the storage yard awaiting restoration at Edwards AFB, California.
  Aircraft 71-1368 - on display at March Field Air Museum, March Air Reserve Base, California.

Note: My involvement with the A-9A aircraft begin when McAir sent me to Edwards Air Force Base in September of 1973. My job was Flight Test Engineer for the German F-4F and also F-15 prototype aircraft; but, my office was next door to the Northrop A-9A project office.

As the program was over and Northrop lost, the office was clearing out. Of course, I had to ask as a historian and they gave me a number of photos and a A-9A Pilots Briefing Notes. (It always pays to be in the right place at the right time!) So, here are the photos and many others that I have gathered over the years. Credit: Northrop and as marked

Click here to view photos

Click here to download all photos in a Zip file (69.4 Megs)

A-9A Photos-Part 2 are here

Northrop A-9A Flight Manual

Northrop A-9A Development Program Flight Manual, DPM A-9A-1. Dated 24 October 1972

Click here to download manual(59.5 Megs)

Douglas C-124A Globemaster II Standard Aircraft Characteristics

Douglas C-124A Globemaster II Standard Aircraft Characteristics sheets, dated 122 August 1952.

Click here to view SAC's

Russian Aircraft Training Films

Trevor Bodnar sent along this email: “I found a few Russian aircraft training films on YouTube about how to fly the IL-2, YAK-1, 7 and 9 series of aircraft and the YAK 15. The Il-2 Film contains English subtitles.

Il-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWh_w9ONtnI

YAK-15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSfmMYsztAw

YAK 1,7 and 9 series:

Part 1 =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_iGXO1cmM4

Part 2 =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rF0O9GoWXc&t=13s

A little different but still very interesting.” Thanks Trevor!

The full, non-subtitled three part Ilyushin Il-2 flight manual films are here, here and here 

Note: Always happy to receive film info!

MiG-17 Manual on Piloting Technique and Combat Employment

The Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-17 Manual on Piloting Technique and Combat Employment, dated 1972. Russian text.

Click here to download manual (38.3 Megs)

Additional Mig-17 manuals here

Ilyushin IL-10 Technical Description

Ilyushin IL-10 Technical Description Manual, dated 1946. Russian text.

Click here to download manual(148 Megs)

Standard Aircraft of the R.A.F.

A nice historical Flying magazine article from May 18 1939 describing the then current R.A.F. aircraft. As they say: “ A Concise Pictorial and Factual Review.”

Click here to download manual

Silhouettes of Allied and Enemy Airplanes

The allied manual on identifing and classifying WWI aircraft for the fighting man.

Click here to download manual

Identification of U.S. Aircraft-Basic Field Manual

The basic field manual for identification of U.S. aircraft, FM 30-30. From U.S. Military Intelligence, dated 1942.

Click here to download manual (1.2 Megs)

Identification of Japanese Aircraft-Basic Field Manual

The basic field manual for identification of Japanese aircraft, FM 30-38. From U.S. Military Intelligence, dated 1942.

Click here to download manual (0.8 Megs)

Identification of Italian Aircraft-Basic Field Manual

The basic field manual for identification of Italian aircraft, FM 30-39. From U.S. Military Intelligence, dated 1941.

Click here to download manual (1.0 Megs)

Identification of German Aircraft-Basic Field Manual

The basic field manual for identification of German aircraft, FM 30-35. From U.S. Military Intelligence, dated 1942.

Click here to download manual (1.2 Megs)

Aircraft Classification Pamphlet

Another WWII pamphlet from 1942.. This time from Britian explaining the basis for aircraft classification and recognition. Published by the Real Photographs Co., No 42/14

Click here to download pamphlet