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
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