The Bristol XLRQ-1 was a 12-seat amphibious glider of the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation, New Haven, Connecticut (USA), developed for the United States Marine Corps in 1942-43. Only two prototypes were built before the USMC scrapped the idea of glider use in 1943.
Inspired by the use of gliders by Germany, the United States Navy and USMC initiated a glider program in May 1941. Two glider types were envisioned, a 12-seat and a 24 seat-type. The Naval Aircraft Factory was requested to undertake preliminary design of the gliders, which were to be constructed of wood or composite materials. The idea was to have enough gliders to transport one battalion of Marines (715 men) with equipment. Consolidated PBYs should be used to tow the gliders.[1] The Marines requested a glider capable of landing and take off from both land and water, be capable of static line parachute jumping and have exterior machine guns.[2]
For the 12-seat type the beach assault role in mind, the U.S. Navy ordered prototypes, the Allied Aviation Corporation XLRA-1 and the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation XLRQ-1. Technically, the gliders were successful designs, and 100 of each were ordered. Also a licence production by the Naval Aircraft Factory as the LRN-1 was envisioned.[3]
Although the U.S. Navy ordered four XLRQ-1 prototypes, only two were built (BuNos 11561 and 11562). The glider had a retractable landing gear and the wing roots provided lateral stability on the water.
However, glider assault was not tactically feasible against small, heavily defended islands in the Pacific, not enough gliders were arriving from factories and too many pilots were being assigned to the glider program.[4] Therefore, the program was scrapped in 1943.[5]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bristol XLRQ.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
^Nigl, Alfred J.; Nigl, Charles A.; Hynes, Cayse (Illustrator) (2007). Nigl, Brandon (ed.). Silent wings, savage death : saga of the 82nd Airborne's glider artillery in World War II (1st ed.). Santa Ana, CA: Graphic Publishers. p. 17. ISBN978-1882824311.
^Lanzendoerfer, Tim; Swain, Craig. "Gliders for the Navy Department: 1940-45, by Craig Swain". www.microworks.net. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
^pp. 15-16 Grim, J. Norman To Fly the Gentle Giants: The Training of U.S. WW II Glider Pilots 2009 Author House
^Bowers, Peter M.; Swanborough, Gordon (1990). United States Navy aircraft since 1911. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. p. 564. ISBN0-87021-792-5.
^Mrazek, James E. (1977). Fighting gliders of World War II. London: Hale. pp. 148–150. ISBN978-0312289270.
November 12, 2023
bristol, xlrq, seat, amphibious, glider, bristol, aeronautical, corporation, haven, connecticut, developed, united, states, marine, corps, 1942, only, prototypes, were, built, before, usmc, scrapped, idea, glider, 1943, xlrq, glider, 1943role, transport, flyin. The Bristol XLRQ 1 was a 12 seat amphibious glider of the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation New Haven Connecticut USA developed for the United States Marine Corps in 1942 43 Only two prototypes were built before the USMC scrapped the idea of glider use in 1943 XLRQBristol XLRQ 1 glider in 1943Role Transport flying boat gliderManufacturer Bristol Aeronautical CorporationFirst flight January 1943Primary user United States NavyNumber built 2 Contents 1 Development 2 Design 3 Specifications XLRQ 1 4 See also 5 ReferencesDevelopment editInspired by the use of gliders by Germany the United States Navy and USMC initiated a glider program in May 1941 Two glider types were envisioned a 12 seat and a 24 seat type The Naval Aircraft Factory was requested to undertake preliminary design of the gliders which were to be constructed of wood or composite materials The idea was to have enough gliders to transport one battalion of Marines 715 men with equipment Consolidated PBYs should be used to tow the gliders 1 The Marines requested a glider capable of landing and take off from both land and water be capable of static line parachute jumping and have exterior machine guns 2 In 1942 the USMC established Marine Glider Group 71 at Page Field Parris Island South Carolina USA using the Schweizer LNS 1 and Pratt Read LNE 1 later also Aeronca LNR 1 gliders for training For towing the unit used N3N Canary biplane trainers and J2F Duck amphibians Design editFor the 12 seat type the beach assault role in mind the U S Navy ordered prototypes the Allied Aviation Corporation XLRA 1 and the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation XLRQ 1 Technically the gliders were successful designs and 100 of each were ordered Also a licence production by the Naval Aircraft Factory as the LRN 1 was envisioned 3 Although the U S Navy ordered four XLRQ 1 prototypes only two were built BuNos 11561 and 11562 The glider had a retractable landing gear and the wing roots provided lateral stability on the water However glider assault was not tactically feasible against small heavily defended islands in the Pacific not enough gliders were arriving from factories and too many pilots were being assigned to the glider program 4 Therefore the program was scrapped in 1943 5 Specifications XLRQ 1 edit nbsp Bristol XLRQ 1 in 1943 Data from Fighting gliders of World War II 6 General characteristicsCrew 2 Capacity 10 Marines equipped Length 43 ft 6 in 13 26 m Wingspan 71 ft 22 m Height 16 ft 4 9 m Wing area 500 sq ft 46 m2 PerformanceSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Allied Aviation XLRA Waco CG 4Related lists List of United States Navy aircraft designations pre 1962 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bristol XLRQ AAHS Vol 48 No 2 Summer 2003 Archived from the original on 2009 04 22 Retrieved 2009 10 09 Nigl Alfred J Nigl Charles A Hynes Cayse Illustrator 2007 Nigl Brandon ed Silent wings savage death saga of the 82nd Airborne s glider artillery in World War II 1st ed Santa Ana CA Graphic Publishers p 17 ISBN 978 1882824311 Lanzendoerfer Tim Swain Craig Gliders for the Navy Department 1940 45 by Craig Swain www microworks net Retrieved 19 March 2018 pp 15 16 Grim J Norman To Fly the Gentle Giants The Training of U S WW II Glider Pilots 2009 Author House Bowers Peter M Swanborough Gordon 1990 United States Navy aircraft since 1911 Annapolis Md Naval Institute Press p 564 ISBN 0 87021 792 5 Mrazek James E 1977 Fighting gliders of World War II London Hale pp 148 150 ISBN 978 0312289270 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bristol XLRQ amp oldid 1106272421, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
