[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > In a message dated 7/10/98 4:18:15 AM !!!First Boot!!!, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > << The USAF Museum web page > describes use of the YO-55 for rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) testing in > 1941. It gives no information about the PQ-13. The YO-55 pictured is in the > distance. Paint scheme and national emblem style are not visible. >> > > I have a short video(maybe 48 seconds) that I got off of the History Channel > that shows the RATO powered Ercoupe in 1941 as it is being readied for the > tests. It was done in August 1941 at March Army Air Field by Cal Tec and it > looks like it had 4 small rockets attached to the center section. It had the > standard Ercoupe Civilian paint job and you can only make out the last 3 > registration numbers which were 655. The number before was either a 3 - 6 - or > 8 and I am sure that it was NC _ _ 655. It had no military markings on it as > this test was done by Cal-Tec for the Army Air Force. I am pretty sure that it > was NC_8655 but you just can't see it long enough to get the other numbers for > sure. I am pretty sure the JATO Ercoupe never had a Military paint job. It > appeared to be a Military pilot flying it and for some reason he set in the > right seat. The video shows it doing 1 takeoff and also 1 time in level > flight. The rockets lasted only about 10 seconds which is average for > JATO/RATO. I would like to find out more about this particular Ercoupe > includeing the full N number and the posible location of it today. > > I used to fly 2 different DC-9's on a Military contract for the U S Air Force > that had RATO or standby Rocket engines and they only lasted approx. 10 > seconds each but that's another story and people don't believe it until I show > them the pictures of the DC-9 with the 4 rocket pods behind the landing gear. > > kim > 2523H > NC
Hi Kim,
I believe your story! And if you weren't so far away I'd love to
see
your pictures and the video!
I have a story that I'm sure you'll appriciate. I'm retired USAF
and
spent most of my career in SAC. I won't mention the base or the year as
I don't want to give enough details to get anyone into trouble.
Once upon a time while stationed in a far-away land on a "TDY
support
base" (for visiting B-47 wings) there was a rather heated "discussion"
at the "O-Club" one Saturday night between the Base Commander (who, of
course, had the old reliable C-47 as his personnal "run-around" plane)
and the current visiting Wing Commander who flew, and was bragging
about, how much better his B-47 was than the old "Gooney Bird".
The "discussion" finally made it to the point of a "wager". The
next
morning at 0600hrs they were to pair-off and have a drag race to a given
altitude. By the time the evening was over the rules had been changed,
now the race was to be which one could get off the ground, back on the
ground again and to a full stop in the shortest time and distance. (From
a dead stop to a dead stop, and having left the ground momentarily.)
I was there in the morning to see a sight that I shall never
forget.
Picture this: a Gooney Bird with either two or three racks of JATO
bottles affixed on either side and (I think) three bottles on each
rack! When he lit off those JATO bottles that poor little bird
practically jumped into the air and in less than 100 feet I'd guess he
was back on the deck, brakes locked, and left skid marks on the concrete
until the bottles were empty. I think he was stopped withing about 1,000
feet or so, but I didn't go out and check.
By this time the AP's and crash trucks were starting to arrive on
the
scene and I didn't think that I would hang around for the "official
expaination" of what had been going on out there that morning.
Naturally, there wasn't much "scuttlebutt" about the incident.
This
was a very large base and all the "festivities" took place way out in
the south forty, so to speak, so anyone who didn't know about it in
advance probably didn't even know it happened. And besides, who would
believe such a story anyway? (Maybe the locals at "Happy Bottom Riding
Club" would believe it, in fact if it had happened around there it
wouldn't have been any big deal!) :-)
Whether you choose to believe this "tall tale" or not is up to
you. I
know it's true, because I was there. I only forward it too you as a
source for a smile and a memory, for both of us.
Have a great day Kim, and if you can get hold of the popular
little
paper back book titled "The Ercoupe" by Stanley G. Thomas, have a look
at the picture on page 66. (Incidently, the number is you were looking
for is NC28655) The story about it starts on page 64.
If you don't have this book available let me know and I'll tell
you how
to get one. Of all the books and stories I have about Ercoupes, I think
this one is the best.
Have a great day Kim, and "KEEP COUPES FLYING"!
Bob Saville
N3396H
Eugene, Or
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