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Description
| Manufacturer: | Chase | |
| Base model: | C-122 | |
| Designation: | YC-122 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Avitruc | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
| Status: | Prototype | |
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Known serial numbers
Recent comments by our visitors
| Rex Lowe Pittsburgh, PA | Interestingly enough, the work, which led to the C-122 and C-123 transport aircraft, began with testing of an old C-47, minus engines, in 1943-45. The tests involved towing a motor less Dakota behind a C-54 four-engine transport. Since the C-47 was such a slow aircraft, it was decided to replace the aging fleet of C-47 Dakotas with the 250mph C-54. Gliders with troops and sometimes equipment were towed behind the C-47's. Since the glider-borne forces of the US military were still using metal tube and doped fabric construction, it was necessary to find a viable alternative to the rather flimsy glider construction, at least a design capable of being towed by the faster airplane.
Meanwhile, the Chase aircraft firm was designing two new all metal glider types, the YCG-18A [47-641] and the YGC-20. With encouraging results from the engineless C-47 tow and glide tests, it was thought the further development of the metal gliders would prove productive. However, events, including the end of WWII would intervene. In 1947 the USAF was formed, succeeding from the United States Army Air Forces, and it was interested in breaking speed and altitude records. Glider aircraft would no longer hold much interest, but transport planes would be needed. The two Chase glider designs would receive engine installations and become the new wave of transports. While the YGC-18/C-122 had no tailgate/hatch, the overall design layout would dictate the high-wing troop and cargo transport designs through present. The first of this type was powered by two 1100hp P&W R-2000 Twin Wasps and first flew 11/18/48. Two more aircraft were constructed in 1948 as the C-122A Avitruc, with two 1350hp R-2000's supplying power. Dimensions for this aircraft were, span: 95'8" length: 61'8", range: 2900 miles, gross wt: 32,000 lbs. One of these aircraft was with repowered with 1425hp Wright R-1820s as the C-122B in 1949. In 1949, nine C-122C's were ordered. The XG-20 glider was fitted with two 1900hp P&W R-2800-83 as the XC-123 [47-786]and first flown 10/14/49 and 1 as the C-123A Provider(with four paired J47s under wing and first flown 4/21/51 as the first US jet transport [47-787].) Further production was as the Fairchild C-123 Provider and it's variants, with and without jet engines. This type flies on today for several nations and private companies 08/11/2003 @ 11:35 [ref: 6622] |
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