X-26 Frigate Information & X-26 Frigate Links at HealthHaven.com

QT-2PC, QT-2PCII, and X-26B
	QT-2PC #1 in the Soc Trang, RVN Army Airfield Hanger in 1968
Role	Experimental Covert Reconnaissance Aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	SACUSA and LMSC
Designed by	2-32:Bill and Ernie Schweizer, QT-2 and its variants: Stanley Hall
First flight	QT-2: July, 1967, QT-2PC: Dec, 1967
Introduced	1967
Retired	1969 as X-26Bs
Status	#1: USAAM Storage. #2 Operational as a glider at Mile High Glider
Primary user	Tri-Service (USA, USAF, USN, and USMC)
Developed from	SGS 2-32
Variants	QT-2, QT-2PC, X-26B

X-26 Frigate
	An X-26A sailplane on display at an air show
Role	Research and training aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Schweizer
Designed by	Ernie and William Schweizer
Primary user	U.S. Navy Test Pilot School
Number built	5?
Developed from	SGS 2-32
Variants	QT-2, QT-2PC and X-26B

The X-26 Frigate is the longest-lived of the X-plane programs. The program included the X-26A Frigate sailplane and the motorized X-26B Quiet Thruster versions: QT-2, QT-2PC, and QT-2PCII. All were based on the Schweizer 2-32 sailplane.

[edit] Development

The X-26A was used by the U.S. Navy (USN) to train test pilots in the condition of yaw/roll coupling. Since jet trainers were known to be dangerous in this condition, the X-26 was based on the Schweizer SGS 2-32 sailplane. Sailplanes react much slower and are easier to control than jet aircraft, making the X-26 a much safer training platform. Four aircraft were originally ordered. Three of the original planes crashed. The USN purchased a replacement for each of the crashed units.

[edit] Operational History

Two Schweizer 2-32s [(67-15345 and 67-15346) from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School X-26 Program (USNTPS)] were modified to QT-2 configuration (QT for Quiet Thruster) by the Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. (LMSC) and civil registered as N2471W and N2472W. In 1967 the aircraft were modified by adding a Continental Motors O-200 engine, V-Belt RPM reduction system, four-bladed fixed pitch wood (Fahlin) propeller, and airframe upgrades.

After demonstrating quiet flight, the aircraft were again modified to military QT-2PC configuration (known only as Tail Numbers "1" and "2"): with GFE avionics and camouflaged for night operation. They were successfully evaluated in Southeast Asia (Prize Crew OpEval) for covert (A.K.A. Stealth) tactical airborne observation in the spring of 1968 (during Têt). The two QT-2PCs were returned to USNTPS in 1969 and re-designated X-26Bs.

The #1 QT-2PC was re-designated "67-5345" and the #2 aircraft was used for spare parts. The original X-26 glider version was then designated X-26A.

LMSC continued the covert airborne surveillance program with one Q-Star (House Test Aircraft) and eleven pre-preproduction YO-3As.

The remaining X-26B aircraft, known to most of the original development team (us) as QT-2 N2471W and QT-2PC #1, remains at the Army Aviation Museum (USAAM) at Ft. Rucker, Alabama.

The other X-26B aircraft (known to most of us as QT-2 N2472W and QT-2PC #2) has been retro-verted to SGS 2-32 Configuration and is being operated (and known as “72 Whiskey”) at Mile High Glider in Boulder, Colorado.

The Q-Star was the first aircraft to use a rotary combustion chamber (Wankel) engine. It is currently being returned to flight status.

The YO-3As were tactically evaluated in Southeast Asia from mid 1969 to late 1971. They were later used by the Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in law enforcement, and by NASA for scientific applications.

YO-3A 69-18007 is currently being returned to flight status. YO-3A 69-18010 (NASA 818) is down for an engine upgrade.

[edit] Accidents

US Navy 157932 crashed Mar 1971, pilot killed.
US Navy 157933 crashed May 18, 1972, pilot killed. ^[1]

[edit] Specifications (X-26A Frigate)

General characteristics

Crew: two
Length: 26 ft 9 in (7.92 m)
Wingspan: 57 ft 1.5 in (17.37 m)
Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.74 m)
Wing area: 180 ft² (16.7 m²)
Empty weight: 857 lb (389 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,430 lb (650 kg)
Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
Powerplant: × , () each
Wing aspect ratio: 18

Performance

Maximum speed: 158 mph (254 km/h)
Range: miles (km)
Service ceiling: ft (m)
Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
Wing loading: 39 kg/m² (7.9 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.07 hp/lb (0.12 kW/kg)
Rate of sink: 0.6 m/s (120 ft/min)

[edit] Specifications (X-26B and QT-2PC)

General characteristics

Crew: two
Length: 30 ft 9 in (9.33 m)
Wingspan: 57 ft 1.5 in (17.37 m)
Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.74 m)
Wing area: 185 ft² (16.7 m²)
Empty weight: lb (kg)
Loaded weight: 2,500 lb (kg)
Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
Powerplant: 1× Continental O-200 horizontally opposed 4-cylinder air-cooled engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
Propeller: Ole Fahlin four-blade, 8 inch chord, fixed-pitch 100 inch diameter
Wing aspect ratio: 18
Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons (nominal)