American X-Vehicles Monograph

AMERICAN X-VEHICLES (An Inventory—X-1 to X-50)
Centennial of Flight Edition by Dennis R. Jenkins, Tony Landis, and Jay Miller
NASA Monographs in Aerospace History No. 31. Dated June 2003.

Click here to download monograph (1.2 Megs)

Apollo - A Retrospective Analysis Monograph

Apollo - A Retrospective Analysis from NASA’s Monographs in Aerospace History, # 3. Dated July 2004 for the 35 anniversary of Apollo 11.

Click here to download monograph (3.4 Megs)

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter Training Handbook–Revised

Jim Hantsch found a better copy of this manual from the C-141 Heaven website and i have substituted their copy for mine. Thanks Jim!

Click here to download new copy (21.7 Megs)

North American F-86F Flight Manual

North American F-86F Flight Manual TO 1F-86F-1, dated 30 April 1971 (Change 10).

Click here to download manual (122 Megs)

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter Training Handbook

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter Training Handbook. Unknown date.

Click here to download handbook (21.7 Megs)

Aviation Week SR-71 Article

A nice article by Robert Ropelewski on the SR-71 aircraft. Lots of detail and photos. Credit: Aviation Week and Space Technology from May 18 1981.

Click here to download manual (31 Megs)

Lockheed SR-71 Company Article

A company article from the Lockheed Horizons magazine written by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, himself. Dated Winter 1981/82.

Click here to download article (30 Megs)

SR-71A Flight Manual (Declassified)

A copy of the SR-71A-1 (Declassified) Flight Manual for the Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird aircraft, dated 31 July 1989. Credit: Scribd.com

This is over 90% of the actual SR-71 DASH-1 manual. The sole section that remains classified is the section on the ASARS-1 Synthetic Apeture Radar, which I believe is still being used by the U-2 aircraft.

Click here to download manual (153.3 Megs)

F-4E Armament Systems Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F-4E Armament Systems Handbook (P.S. 859), dated 1 June 1974.

Click here to download handbook (108.7 Megs)

F-4B/J Ordnanceman's Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J Ordnanceman's Handbook (P.S. 196), dated 15 May 1968.

Click here to download handbook (140.7 Megs)

Rolls Royce Spey Engine for F4H-1 Phantom II

A report on the Spey RB.l68-25R
By-Pass and Afterburner engine for the McDonnell F4H-I Phantom II
Dated November 1964.

From the Preface: “

This brochure has been prepared to assist in the evaluation of the Rolls-Royce RB.l68-25R as a propulsion engine for the McDonnell FAH-1 Phantom II.
The contents of this document give details of the engine and afterburner systems together with their performance and availability.”

Click here to download report (16.2 Megs)

The 1945 Aircraft Year Book

A copy of the The 1945 Aircraft Year Book from Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, Inc.  Dated 1945 (The 27th annual edition). Very interesting WWII book with many photos, illustrations and old ads. Credit: The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)

Click here to download book (46.9 Megs)

F/TF-15 Crew Chief's Handbook

McDonnell Douglas F/TF-15 Crew Chief's Handbook (P.S. 918), dated May 1976.

Click here to download handbook (175.4 Megs)

F-4C/D/E Armament Systems Handbook

  McDonnell Douglas F-4C/D/E Armament Systems Handbook (P.S. 217), dated December 1967.

Click here to download handbook (55.3 Megs)

Partners In Freedom

Monographs in Aerospace History Number 19, by Joseph R. Chambers from the The NASA History Series on the Contributions of the Langley Research Center to U.S. Military Aircraft of the l990’s. (NASA SP-2000-4519 Partners in Freedom). A number of references to McDonnell Aircraft. AV-8B. T-45, C-17, f-4, F-15, F-18 and many more types of aircraft.

Click here to download monograph

Fifty Years of NASA Aeronautical Research

A NASA publication on their first fifty years of aeronautical research. Lots of info and photos.

From the introduction:
“It is fifty years since the first symbolic shovels full of earth were lifted
above the soil of Langley Field to signal the start of construction of
the first research laboratory for the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics.
Those shovels of Virginia ground symbolized more than the construc-
tion of a research laboratory. They were tangible proof that this coun-
try was determined to build an aeronautical research establishment
second to none in the world, aimed at regaining and then maintain-
ing the lead in aeronautics which had been given to America by
Orville and Wilbur Wright less than I4 years before.”

Click here to download booklet (33.7 Megs)

The Smell Of Kerosene

The story of a NASA Test Pilot’s Odyssey. Written by pilot Donald L. Mallick (with Peter W. Merlin) on his 11,000 hours of flight time in more than 125 different aircraft. Mallick was involved in an extremely wide variety of test programmes and flew many different aircraft during his USN and NASA careers. The book has 252 pages and many photos. Credit: NASA/Dryden via Jeff Rankin-Lowe

Click here to download book (3.9 Megs)

XV-1 Model 82 Report - #2

McDonnell Aircraft Corp Report No. 1920, dated 8 December 1950. The preliminary report on what would become the XV-1 Convertiplane! All the specs, rotor info and many diagrams. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Click here to download report #2 (17.3 Megs)

XV-1 Model 82 Report – #1 here

XV-1 Convertiplane additional info here

A Tribute to James S. McDonnell Article

An article written as a tribute to James S. McDonnell (Mr. MAC) by his son, John F. McDonnell. This article first appeared in the 2001Carving Our Destiny: Scientific Research Faces a New Millennium magazine (Essays of the James S. McDonnell Centenial Fellows). Credit: Google Books via Jack Abercrombie
Click here to download article (13.6 Megs)

Mr. MAC and the McDonnell Aircraft Company

An article on the life and times of James S. McDonnell (Mr. MAC) and McDonnell Aircraft Company. This article first appeared in the Gateway Heritage, the Quarterly Magazine of the Missouri Historical Society, Summer 2003, Vol 24, No. 1.  Written by Sanford (Sandy) McDonnell (A nephew of Old Man MAC). Credit: Missouri Historical Society via Jack Abercrombie

Click here to download article (27.4 Megs)

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