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Fellow B-66ers, Here's a copy of the letter I sent to General Dailey,
the Director of the National Air and Paul Duplessis NOTE: There's an article in the Air Force Magazine, February 2004 issue, on the XC-99. Current plans are for the Air Force Museum at WPAFB, OH to house the XC-99 among other experimental aircraft in the museums's R&D hangar. Colonel Paul Duplessis, USAF (Ret) 47379 Westwood Place Sterling, VA 20165-2415 Tel: 703-430-3407
General
John R. Dailey, USMC (Ret) Dear
General Dailey, Reference:
Suggested Aircraft Exhibits for the Commensurate
with the mission of the Udvar-Hazy Center, I would like to nominate two additional
aircraft for display at the center, namely the McDonnell-Douglas EB-66 Destroyer
and the Corvair XC-99 Heavy Transport. I believe they are excellent candidates
to be restored, displayed, and appreciated by the hundreds of thousands of visitors
to the center. 1.
The McDonnell-Douglas B-66 Destroyer The
B-66 was developed from the Navy A3D Skywarrior for USAF use as a tactical light
bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft. An RB-66A, one of five reconnaissance
aircraft ordered as prototypes, was the first to fly on The
B-66 was the last tactical bomber built for the USAF, and only the B-66B was designed
exclusively as a bomber. The variants of the B-66 included: the RB-66B, RB-66C
(later re-designated the EB-66C - passive and active electronic warfare), WB-66D
(weather recon), and the powerful EB-66B "Brown Cradle" (electronic
jamming) version. Some EB-66B and EB-66Cs were modified for service in Reasons
why an EB-66 variant should be included in the a.
Its most significant contribution to aviation history is the outstanding Electronic
Countermeasures support the EB-66B and EB-66C squadrons (operating out of b. Its unique electronic warfare capabilities were also essential in supporting Eastern European and Cuban operations. c. In the mid-1960 time era, 2
WB-66Ds were modified by Northrop to test a promising Laminar Flow Control system
that was expected to result in a 50% increase in large aircraft range, payload
and endurance. The modified B-66 Laminar Flow Control Breathing Wing used under-wing
compressors to inhale turbulent boundary air through paper-thin slots on top of
the wings to provide Laminar Flow Control. The engines were moved to the tail
of the aircraft where two GE XJ79-13 non-afterburning versions of the J79-3A engine
were mounted on the aft fuselage. The performance of the modified aircraft was
greatly enhanced, with flights well into the supersonic range. More info is available
at: http://B66.info/B-66-data.htm#laminarflow Current
locations of various B-66 displays include: More
B-66 information is available at: The B-66 Historical website at: http://B66.info Publications
about EB-66 contributions in
2.
The Corvair XC-99 Very Heavy Transport The
Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation (Corvair) XC-99
was a transport variant of the enormous Convair B-36
Peacemaker strategic bomber. Only one aircraft was built, tail number 43-52436.
Retaining the Peacemaker's power plant, tail unit, and wings (a span of 230 feet!)
It has a considerably larger fuselage, but was never fitted with jet pods. The
XC-99 had a new two-deck fuselage which could accommodate 400 fully-equipped troops,
300 stretchers, or 101,000 pounds of cargo. First flown on Reports
are that the XC-99 is to be disassembled and shipped to Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base in Supporters
are committed to bringing the XC-99 to the More
XC-99 information is available at:
http://www.air-and-space.com/xc99.htm Of
the 22 different types of Air Force aircraft I have had the privilege flying in
during my 29 years in the Air Force, I truly believe the EB-66 and XC-99 have
made significant contributions to aviation history and should be displayed in
the Udvar-Hazy Center. Yours
truly,
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