INVESTIGATIONS OF AIRCRAFT COUPLED IN FLIGHT, WPAFB Part 3

Description

Summary: Covers a PQ-14A aerial target-man carrying aircraft and a C-47 in flight, coupled at the wingtips. Shows PQ-14A and the C-47 parked; coupling device on each aircraft's wingtip; AVs of the PQ-14A and C-47 in flight, coupled at wingtips. 280' Total footage in reel. (This is an abstract from a 16mm version of the same film, which appears to contain the same material as the 35mm version) WADC film report on first tests made on a bomber carrying a fighter plane coupled to its wing-tips. For the tests a C-47 and a Q-14 aircraft were used. The first tests were made August 19, 1949 by Maj. C.E. Anderson of the Flight Test Division, WPAFB, pilot of the Q-14 Plane. The first successful in-flight coupling was made by Maj. Anderson on 7 October, 1949. 1) AS SV, and head-on view overhead showing C-47 in flight towing a FQ-14 aircraft. 2) MS C-47 stationary. 3) PS wing-tip to wing-tip, FV, C-47 stationary, PQ-14 on ground beneath right wing. 4) ECU of coupling device on the wing tip of the C-47. 5) ECU of the coupling device on the PQ-14 and the C-47. 6) AS from interior of the towing aircraft showing PQ-14 maneuvering up to wing for air-to-air coupling. 7) Animation of C-47 and Q-14. 8) AS, RV C-47 and PQ-14 in flight. PQ-14 drops right wing and flies away from the C-47. 9) MS PQ-14 stationary on ground--wing tip coupling device on wing. Wing of C-47 protrudes into scene showing coupling device on same. 10) MCU coupling device on the C-47. 11) ADS C-47 and PQ-14 in flight--PQ-14 maneuvering in for aerial hook-up for air-to-air towing--successful try at coupling. 12) AS from C-47 showing wing-tip of same--PQ-14 attached to same. 13) ADS FV showing C-47 towing PQ-14 in flight. 14) A. side shot C-47 and PQ-14 on further side flying in for air-a-air hook-up. 15) AS of the two planes banking out to left over solid layer of cumulus cloud formation. Aircraft are coupled wing-tip to wing-tip as they fly off to left. 16) ADS C-47 towing PQ-14 in flight. C-47 cuts out right engine on wing in which the PQ-14 is attached. 17) ECU of the coupling device on the two planes. 18) AS int. C-47 showing wing-tip of same PQ-14 in flight attached wing-tip to wing-tip. Good

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities