Chance-Vought/LTV XC-142A
The Chance-Vought/LTV XC-142A is an tiltwing experimental aircraft designed to investigate the operational suitability of vertical/short takeoff and landing transports. Such an aircraft would permit rapid movement of troops and supplies into unprepared areas under all-weather conditions. An XC-142A first flew conventionally on September 29, 1964, and on January 11, 1965, it completed its first transitional flight by taking off vertically, changing to forward flight and finally landing vertically.
Tilting the wing and engines skyward permitted vertical takeoff like a helicopter and then the wing and engines were gradually tilted forward to provide the greater speed of a fixed-wing aircraft in forward flight. The engines were linked together so that a single engine could turn all four propellers and the tail rotor. In tests the XC-142A was flown from airspeeds of 35 mph backwards to 400 mph forward. XC-142As were tested extensively by the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force and NASA.
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Surviving aircraft
Of the five aircraft built, only one still survives, and is on exhibit in the experimental aircraft hangar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
Specifications (XC-142A)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2-3
- Capacity:
- Length: 58 ft 2 in (17.7 m)
- Wingspan: 67 ft 6 in (20.6 m)
- Height: 25 ft 8 in (7.8 m)
- Wing area: ft² m²
- Empty:
- Loaded:
- Maximum takeoff: 41,500 lb (18,824 kg)
- Powerplant: 2x Four General Electric T64s of 3,080 hp each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 400 mph (643 km/h)
- Cruising speed: 235 mph (378 km/h)
- Range: 820 miles (1319 km)
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
- Power/mass:
Related content
Related development: Hiller X-18
Comparable aircraft: V-22 Osprey
Designation sequence:
External links
Categories
U.S. experimental aircraft 1960-1969 | Tiltrotors