XC-Heavy Transport and Parasite/Missile carrier aircraft competition.

[nugo]

In 1951 Air Material Command (AMC) request for a proposal for an XC-Heavy Transport and Parasite/Missile carrier aircraft.

Firms participated:

1) Lockheed Model L-208-1...L-208-8
2) Boeing Model 497
and etc.

 

[Antonio]

Nugo,

Thank you very much for the info!

Boeing Model 497 picture here:

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8036.0.html

That Boeing looks like a similar concept to Daimler Benz Projekt A

http://www.luft46.com/db/dbbomba.html

 

[circle-5]

The Douglas entry was the Model 1240, a twin-fuselage design based on the wing of the Douglas Model 1211-J bomber proposal. Shown here is the Douglas 1240 concept model with various parasite aircraft, missiles and payloads. The high-speed penetration bomber component has three engines and no landing gear, as it was expected to return to its mother ship, politely loitering outside enemy airspace during the weapons delivery run.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Here are the Lockheed L-208-5 and -7. The -8 version was to be a straight-winged -7, and was apparently the only iteration that met the requirements.

 

[Michel Van]

and for comparison here the Boeing Boeing Model 497 picture

 

[Tophe]

Shown here is the Douglas 1240 concept model

Are there nose air intakes or glazed noses? It seems there are jets in the fuselages of this twin-fuselage big plane: the two external jets may be not enough power.

 

[circle-5]

These are four turboprops. The propellers are removed and sitting in front of the model, behind the landing gear. Wingspan and thrust centerlines are identical to those of the Douglas 1211 (B-52) bomber proposal. There is only one, asymmetrical canopy on the port fuselage.

 

[Stargazer]

Front view of the Douglas Model 1240 somehow reminds me of NASA Langley's 1974 Virtus project:

 

[Orionblamblam]

These are four turboprops. The propellers are removed and sitting in front of the model, behind the landing gear.

Are the turboprops fore-and-aft on those wing pods, or were there props in the noses of the fuselages?

 

[ChuckAnderson]

Are there any three-views (or at least a side view) of the Boeing 497, and if so, can anyone here tell me where I might find one?

Chuck

 

[circle-5]

These are four turboprops. The propellers are removed and sitting in front of the model, behind the landing gear.

Are the turboprops fore-and-aft on those wing pods, or were there props in the noses of the fuselages?

This photo shows the Douglas Model 1211-J bomber (top) from 1950 and the Douglas Model 1240 (bottom) from 1951. Note identical thrust centerlines. Props on the 1240 are all pullers, not contra-rotating. Model 1240 was configured like an oversized Fairchild XC-120 Pack-Plane.

 

[nugo]

Hi All!

I looked at the list of projects of Martin Aircraft and there was no draft about XC-Heavy Transport and Parasite/Missile carrier aircraft proposal.
Means the firm Martin did not participate in the competition.

Remain firm Convair, Fairchild, North American and Republic.

Convair Model ? or Model 36 (his version)
Fairchild Model 1?? (maybe)
North American Model ? (maybe)
Republic Model AP-?? (maybe)

What do you say?

 

[Stargazer]

I looked at the list of projects of Martin Aircraft and there was no draft about XC-Heavy Transport and Parasite/Missile carrier aircraft proposal.
Means the firm Martin did not participate in the competition.

I certainly wouldn't jump to such hasty conclusions. Several programs by Martin do not seem to have received a Model designation (I say "seem" because there are obviously some gaps), a case in point being the COIN/LARA contender.

 

[Rickshaw]

Shown here is the Douglas 1240 concept model

Are there nose air intakes or glazed noses? It seems there are jets in the fuselages of this twin-fuselage big plane: the two external jets may be not enough power.

You might be right. It appears there was also a choice of powerplants between jets and perhaps turbo-props. I can't explain the present of the four sets of propellers otherwise.

 

[hole in the ground]

My take on that is that the model is shown in a disassembled state, I imagine that it is solely turboprop powered. Note also the landing gear lying on the floor. I doubt that is an optional extra

 

[circle-5]

My take on that is that the model is shown in a disassembled state, I imagine that it is solely turboprop powered. Note also the landing gear lying on the floor. I doubt that is an optional extra

Hole in the ground, you are correct. Unlike the Model 1211-J, the 1240 had no turbojets, not even optional ones. Just four big turboprops. Look for a comprehensive monograph about this little-known competition and the Douglas Model 1240 in particular, due out sometime this year. This was a big, bold and ambitious program, even by the visionary standards of 1950s America.

 

[Skybolt]

. Look for a comprehensive monograph about this little-known competition and the Douglas Model 1240 in particular, due out sometime this year.

yipee !!!!

 

[Stargazer]

Sounds like very good news. Will there be info on the Models 1112 and 1155 as well?

 

[Antonio]

Look for a comprehensive monograph

OMG, where?. Please keep us updated, I'd love to order a copy.

 

[lark]

Circle-5,

Do you have more information about
this upcoming publication?
Thanks in advance..

 

[circle-5]

Circle-5,

Do you have more information about
this upcoming publication?
Thanks in advance..

I can tell you the author is an SPF member. Beyond that I don't want to speak for him, especially with regard to a release date (it's sometime in 2010). However, y'all have been pleased with his past work, so start cutting back on your donations to the AIG executive bonus fund and be ready for this one!

 

[elmayerle]

However, y'all have been pleased with his past work, so start cutting back on your donations to the AIG executive bonus fund and be ready for this one!

Yeah, but the government gets grouchy when I don't pay my taxes; my not being in one of their favored classes, professions, or industries.

 

[Orionblamblam]

I can tell you the author is an SPF member.

Is it me? Please tell me that it's me. That would be awesome!

 

[lark]

Thanks Circle...

I'm already dreamin'..

 

[nugo]

Hi All!

Yes it is very good. I also request a copy.

Friend Stargazer2006,yes, you may be telling the truth.
I think that the firm Republic Aviation also participated in the competition with his Model AP-60.

 

[flateric]

[link no longer active]

...may be a model of a proposed "parasite" cruise missile that would have been carried by a proposed Convair Nuclear bomber. It has no identifying marks but has an attachment on the top to fit on to a larger mother model. It measures about 6" in length and is of metal construction and is in excellent condition.

[link no longer active]

This is a model of a proposed "parasite" fighter that would have been carried by a proposed Convair Nuclear bomber. Very similar in design to the XF-92. It has no identifying marks but has an attachment on the top to fit on to a larger mother model. It measures about 5" in length and is of metal construction and is in excellent condition.

[link no longer active]

This is a model of a proposed "parasite" fighter that would have been carried by a proposed Convair Nuclear bomber. Very similar in design to the F4D Skyray. It has no identifying marks but has an attachment on the top to fit on to a larger mother model. It measures about 5" in length and is of metal construction and is in excellent condition.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Don't forget the fuel tanks...

[link no longer active]

These actually seem to be identical to the accessories from the Douglas Model 1211-J model owned by John Aldaz as seen in American Aerospace Archive 5 - MOTHER SHIPS, PARASITES & MORE: Selected USAF Strategic Bomber, XC Heavy Transport and FICON Studies, 1945-1954

Northrop XSSM-A-3 Snark missile
Convair XF-92A parasite fighter
Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray parasite fighter
Droppable fuel tanks

 

[circle-5]

Move over, White Knight II. Here comes the Douglas Model 1252, with over 50 years' head start! Shown here as a launch platform for the Navaho intercontinental missile, from North American Aviation.

Note the astro-inertial navigation system window on top of the Navaho.

Also attached is a model photo of the larger, swept-wing Douglas Model 1240, for comparison.

 

[Vahe Demirjian]

I was reading the book Secret US Proposals of the Cold War and on page 61 it mentions that one Model 1240 iteration had a wingspan of 347 feet and gross weight of 977,000 pounds. I'd be curious to see drawings of this monster iteration, given that the 347-foot span proposal had a span almost as big as today's Stratolaunch.

 

[hesham]

From Le Fana Horse 50.