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The X-26 Frigate is the longest-lived of the X-plane programs. The program included the X-26A Frigate sailplane and the motorized X-26B Quiet Thruster versions: QT-2, QT-2PC, and QT-2PCII. All were based on the Schweizer SGS 2-32
Two Schweizer 2-32s, 67-15345 and 67-15346, from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School X-26 Program, were modified to QT-2 configuration (QT for Quiet Thruster) by the Lockheed Missiles & Space Company and civil registered as N2471W and N2472W. In 1967 the aircraft were modified by adding a Continental O-200 engine, V-Belt RPM reduction system, four-bladed Fahlin fixed pitch wooden propeller, and associated airframe upgrades.
After demonstrating quiet flight, the aircraft were again modified to military QT-2PC configuration, known only as Tail Numbers "1" and "2", with
www.milehighgliding.com
/ref> The Q-Star was the first aircraft to use a rotary combustion chamber (Wankel) engine. It is currently being returned to flight status. The YO-3As were tactically evaluated in Southeast Asia from mid-1969 to late 1971. They were later used by the Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) and the
American X-Vehicles
(.pdf)
at GlobalSecurity.org
at HistoryNet.com
QT-2PC PRIZE CREW
{{X-planes X-026 Glider aircraft 1960s United States experimental aircraft 1960s United States sailplanes 1960s United States military reconnaissance aircraft Mid-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1967 Aircraft with retractable bicycle landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft
sailplane
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the leisure activity and sport of gliding (also called soaring). This unpowered aircraft can use naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to gain altitude. Sailplan ...
.
Development
The X-26A was used by theUnited States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
to train test pilot
A test pilot is an aircraft pilot with additional training to fly and evaluate experimental, newly produced and modified aircraft with specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques.Stinton, Darrol. ''Flying Qualities and Flight Testin ...
s in the condition of yaw/roll coupling. Since jet trainers were known to be dangerous in this condition, the X-26 was based on the Schweizer SGS 2-32 sailplane. Sailplanes react much slower and are easier to control than jet aircraft, making the X-26 a much safer training platform. Four aircraft were originally ordered. Three of the original planes crashed. The Navy purchased a replacement for each of the crashed units.
Operational history
Two Schweizer 2-32s, 67-15345 and 67-15346, from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School X-26 Program, were modified to QT-2 configuration (QT for Quiet Thruster) by the Lockheed Missiles & Space Company and civil registered as N2471W and N2472W. In 1967 the aircraft were modified by adding a Continental O-200 engine, V-Belt RPM reduction system, four-bladed Fahlin fixed pitch wooden propeller, and associated airframe upgrades.
After demonstrating quiet flight, the aircraft were again modified to military QT-2PC configuration, known only as Tail Numbers "1" and "2", with avionics
Avionics (a portmanteau of ''aviation'' and ''electronics'') are the Electronics, electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, Air navigation, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the ...
and camouflage
Camouflage is the use of any combination of materials, coloration, or illumination for concealment, either by making animals or objects hard to see, or by disguising them as something else. Examples include the leopard's spotted coat, the b ...
for night operation. They were successfully evaluated in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...
under the Prize Crew OpEval program for covert ( "stealthy") tactical airborne observation in the spring of 1968 (during Têt). The two QT-2PCs were returned to the Test Pilot School in 1969 and re-designated X-26Bs.
The #1 QT-2PC was re-designated "67-15345" and the #2 aircraft was used for spare parts. The original X-26 glider version was then designated X-26A.
Lockheed continued the covert airborne surveillance program with one Q-Star (House Test Aircraft) and eleven pre-production YO-3As.
Surviving aircraft
Both of the aircraft from the original QT-2 / X-26B program survive today. The X-26B aircraft known as QT-2 N2471W and QT-2PC #1 is located (as of 2019) in the collection of the US Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker AL. The original N number N2471W was reassigned in 2019 to another Schweizer SGS 2-32 glider, (serial #7, formerly N2758Z) owned by Mile High Gliding of Boulder Colorado. The second X-26B aircraft known as QT-2 N2472W and QT-2PC #2 was restored to SGS 2-32 configuration and has been operated for many years (and known as "72 Whiskey") for paid scenic rides at Mile High Gliding in Boulder, Colorado./ref> The Q-Star was the first aircraft to use a rotary combustion chamber (Wankel) engine. It is currently being returned to flight status. The YO-3As were tactically evaluated in Southeast Asia from mid-1969 to late 1971. They were later used by the Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
(FBI) in law enforcement, and by NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
for scientific applications.
YO-3A 69-18005 is on display at the Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight is a private Nonprofit organization, non-profit Aircraft, air and Spacecraft, space museum in the Seattle metropolitan area. It is located at the southern end of Boeing Field, King County International Airport (Boeing Fi ...
in Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is the List of municipalities in Washington, most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the List of Unit ...
.
YO-3A 69-18006 is on display at the Pima Air and Space, Tucson AZ.
YO-3A 69-18007 is in storage at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, California
Torrance is a coastal city in the Los Angeles metropolitan area located in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city is part of what is known as the South Bay (Los Angeles County), South Bay region of the metropolitan ...
. As of 2014, YO-3A 69-18010 (NASA 818) is in flyable storage at Armstrong Flight Research Center
The NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. Its primary campus is located inside Edwards Air Force Base in California and is considered NASA's premier site for aeronautical rese ...
.
Accidents
* U.S. Navy 157932 crashed March 1971, pilot killed. * U.S. Navy 157933 crashed May 18, 1972, pilot killed.Specifications (X-26A Frigate)
Specifications (X-26B and QT-2PC)
See also
Notes
References
American X-Vehicles
(.pdf)
External links
at GlobalSecurity.org
at HistoryNet.com
QT-2PC PRIZE CREW
{{X-planes X-026 Glider aircraft 1960s United States experimental aircraft 1960s United States sailplanes 1960s United States military reconnaissance aircraft Mid-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1967 Aircraft with retractable bicycle landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft