Design of the CG-16 evolved from the lifting fuselage theories of Vincent Burnelli laid out in U.S. Patent No. 1,758,498, issued on 13 May 1930,[2][3] which advocated the use of "lifting fuselages" providing a high proportion of the total lift. To enter a competition at Wright Field for a new assault glider for the USAAF, Hawley Bowlus and Albert Criz designed a Burnelli style lifting fuselage assault glider as the Bowlus-Criz MC-1.[1]
To prove the concept and aerodynamic qualities Bowlus designed a 1:2 scale prototype, which flew successfully. The flight tests of the 1:2 scale MC-1 maintained confidence in the full-sized glider.[4]
A contract for three MC-1 gliders, two flyable and one for static testing, was given to the Airborne and General aircraft company, which had been formed by Bowlus and Criz. This company soon transformed into the General Airborne Transport company, which built the full sized MC-1 gliders with the military designation XCG-16.[1]
Flight tests of the full sized MC-1, registered to the Albert Criz company on 19 July 1943 as NX21757, commenced at March Field, California, on 11 September 1943, but tragedy struck on a demonstration flight with Richard Chichester du Pont, special assistant to Gen. Hap Arnold; Col. Ernest Gabel, another glider specialist on the staff of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and C. C. Chandler, thrice soaring champion aboard. Inadequately secured ballast came loose when the glider flew through the Lockheed C-60 tow plane's propwash, causing a catastrophic rearward shift in the center of gravity. The now uncontrollable MC-1A released from tow and entered an unrecoverable flat spin. Three of the crew and passengers jumped out, but only two survived the parachute jump.[1]
In spite of all the design problems and the MC-1 crash, a contract was approved on 13 November 1943 for two test flight articles and one static test article of the MC-1 glider designated as the USAAF XCG-16. Only one XCG-16, (44-76193), was manufactured and tested, demonstrating good flying qualities, but major issues with military equipment and procedures precluded the CG-16 from a production contract, as it did not meet military expectations as a combat glider. The contract for all remaining work on the CG-16 was cancelled on 30 November 1944.[1]
Variants
XCG-16 in October, 1944
Bowlus-Criz MC-1 half-scale
A flying 1:2 scale model of the MC-1/XCG-16. Successful flight trials proved the aerodynamic qualities of the MC-1. After completion of CG-16 related flying the 1:2 scale MC-1 was converted to a flying wing by Don Mitchell, one of Hawley Bowlus' friends and a colleague at Bowlus Sailplanes.[4]
Airborne and General MC-1
The full-scale civilian prototype of the CG-16, destroyed on its second flight during a demonstration flight.
General Airborne Transport XCG-16
Three prototypes of the military XCG-16 were ordered, but only one was completed as 44-76193. Trials revealed major deficiencies in the ability of the CG-16 to fulfill the intended mission, despite good flying qualities.
Specifications
Data from indianamilitary.org
General characteristics
Crew: Two pilots
Capacity: 42 troops or 10,050 lb (4,570 kg) of cargo
Length: 48 ft 4 in (14.72 m)
Wingspan: 91 ft 10 in (27.98 m)
Height: 18 ft 4 in (5.58 m)
Wing area: 1,139 sq ft (105.9 m2)
Aspect ratio: 7.4
Empty weight: 9,480 lb (4,310 kg)
Gross weight: 19,540 lb (8,880 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 220 mph (354 km/h, 190 kn)
References
^ abcde"General Airborne Transport XCG-16". www.indianamilitary.org. 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
general, airborne, transport, military, transport, assault, glider, ordered, united, states, army, forces, usaaf, from, general, airborne, transport, competition, against, waco, wright, field, 16the, flightrole, military, transport, glidernational, origin, uni. The XCG 16 was a military transport assault glider ordered by the United States Army Air Forces USAAF from General Airborne Transport Co for competition against the Waco CG 13A at Wright Field 1 XCG 16The MC 1 in flightRole Military transport gliderNational origin United StatesManufacturer General Airborne TransportFirst flight 11 September 1943Number built 1x 1 2 scale MC 1 1x MC 1 1x XCG 16 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Specifications 4 References 5 External linksDesign and development EditDesign of the CG 16 evolved from the lifting fuselage theories of Vincent Burnelli laid out in U S Patent No 1 758 498 issued on 13 May 1930 2 3 which advocated the use of lifting fuselages providing a high proportion of the total lift To enter a competition at Wright Field for a new assault glider for the USAAF Hawley Bowlus and Albert Criz designed a Burnelli style lifting fuselage assault glider as the Bowlus Criz MC 1 1 To prove the concept and aerodynamic qualities Bowlus designed a 1 2 scale prototype which flew successfully The flight tests of the 1 2 scale MC 1 maintained confidence in the full sized glider 4 A contract for three MC 1 gliders two flyable and one for static testing was given to the Airborne and General aircraft company which had been formed by Bowlus and Criz This company soon transformed into the General Airborne Transport company which built the full sized MC 1 gliders with the military designation XCG 16 1 Flight tests of the full sized MC 1 registered to the Albert Criz company on 19 July 1943 as NX21757 commenced at March Field California on 11 September 1943 but tragedy struck on a demonstration flight with Richard Chichester du Pont special assistant to Gen Hap Arnold Col Ernest Gabel another glider specialist on the staff of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and C C Chandler thrice soaring champion aboard Inadequately secured ballast came loose when the glider flew through the Lockheed C 60 tow plane s propwash causing a catastrophic rearward shift in the center of gravity The now uncontrollable MC 1A released from tow and entered an unrecoverable flat spin Three of the crew and passengers jumped out but only two survived the parachute jump 1 In spite of all the design problems and the MC 1 crash a contract was approved on 13 November 1943 for two test flight articles and one static test article of the MC 1 glider designated as the USAAF XCG 16 Only one XCG 16 44 76193 was manufactured and tested demonstrating good flying qualities but major issues with military equipment and procedures precluded the CG 16 from a production contract as it did not meet military expectations as a combat glider The contract for all remaining work on the CG 16 was cancelled on 30 November 1944 1 Variants Edit XCG 16 in October 1944 Bowlus Criz MC 1 half scale A flying 1 2 scale model of the MC 1 XCG 16 Successful flight trials proved the aerodynamic qualities of the MC 1 After completion of CG 16 related flying the 1 2 scale MC 1 was converted to a flying wing by Don Mitchell one of Hawley Bowlus friends and a colleague at Bowlus Sailplanes 4 Airborne and General MC 1 The full scale civilian prototype of the CG 16 destroyed on its second flight during a demonstration flight General Airborne Transport XCG 16 Three prototypes of the military XCG 16 were ordered but only one was completed as 44 76193 Trials revealed major deficiencies in the ability of the CG 16 to fulfill the intended mission despite good flying qualities Specifications EditData from indianamilitary orgGeneral characteristicsCrew Two pilots Capacity 42 troops or 10 050 lb 4 570 kg of cargo Length 48 ft 4 in 14 72 m Wingspan 91 ft 10 in 27 98 m Height 18 ft 4 in 5 58 m Wing area 1 139 sq ft 105 9 m2 Aspect ratio 7 4 Empty weight 9 480 lb 4 310 kg Gross weight 19 540 lb 8 880 kg Performance Maximum speed 220 mph 354 km h 190 kn References Edit a b c d e General Airborne Transport XCG 16 www indianamilitary org 2010 09 27 Retrieved 2011 06 21 U S Patent 1 758 498 Burnelli www burnelli com Retrieved 2011 06 21 a b Don Mitchell Autobiography www twitt org 2002 07 13 Retrieved 2011 06 21 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Airborne Transport XCG 16 42 Place Wing Glides at 200 M P H detailed article with photos and drawings June 1945 Popular Science Burnelli history Don Mitchell autobiography Archived 2012 03 12 at the Wayback Machine Ugolok neba Aircrash XCG 16 Archived 2012 02 05 at the Wayback Machine The end of Forked Ghosts Twin tail boom aircraft designs of 1939 45 Facts and Fantasy XCG 16 Glider with photos and description Don Mitchell autobiography Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title General Airborne Transport XCG 16 amp oldid 1125988106, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
