XC-142A VTOL TRANSPORT PROGRAM

Flights on the No. 1 aircraft were accomplished to obtain prop stress data and to evaluate flying quantities with the new configuration propellers 2FF. In addition, the aircraft hovered over, landed and took off vertically from a 120 ft diameter helicopter landing pad of polyester resin and fiberglass. A completely successful air drop program was conducted at utilizing the No. 4 aircraft. In 8 hours and 29 minutes of flight time, the aircraft accomplished approximately forty drops of various kinds, including loads ranging from 500 to 4000 pounds, 5 and 95 percentile dummies and 10 paratroopers. Methods employed included extraction, gravity and dump truck at various altitudes and forward speeds from zero to 125 knots. The No. 5 aircraft flew from EAFB to the aircraft carrier USS Bennington for flight evaluation under various conditions. Two series of successful operations were conducted, including vertical and short take-offs and landings, conversions and reconversions and hover with wind over the deck from approximately 12 to 37 knots.