Douglas A/B-26 Invader

Calspan Flight Research














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Calspan Corporation
  • Conceived in 1940, the company was originally founded in 1943 as part of the Research Laboratory of the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division at Buffalo, N.Y. It operated as the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory from 1946 until 1972 when Cornell University sold public stock in the lab and set it up as the Calspan Corporation. Calspan was the first in a series of corporate owners that have included Arvin Industries, Space Industries International, Veridian Corporation and General Dynamics.
  • Internationally recognized for proven excellence in technology and science, the company has built its reputation on a rich heritage of innovation and a desire to understand and fully meet the requirements of its customers - from small businesses to large U.S. government agencies and foreign governments.
  • Over the years, much of Calspan's work has included closely guarded industrial research and highly classified military work, some of it "Top Secret," such as the development of military aircraft, systems and weapons; strategic defense initiatives; FBI finger-printing systems; and countermeasures to chemical and electromagnetic warfare and terrorist attacks.
  • Calspan provides airborne research, development, and test and evaluation services using a highly modified F-16 fighter jet In-Flight Simulator and the NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator, both owned by the U.S. Air Force, and three company-owned Learjet In-Flight Simulators. Many major aircraft development programs for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and U.S. allies' aircraft development programs have utilized these In-Flight Simulators to assist in the development of flight control systems.
  • For a number of years, the company maintained the oldest airplane in the U.S. Air Force, a highly modified T-33 jet trainer. This research aircraft was flown by nearly every astronaut and test pilot of note, including Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon.
  • The company's Learjet In-Flight Simulators provide commercial pilots with training to recover from loss of control and upset events, which are a leading cause of accidents and airline fatalities. These aircraft also provide engineering and test pilot training for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Naval Test Pilot Schools as well as those of several U.S. allies.
  • The Calspan wind tunnel complex has helped shape the direction of flight research for nearly 60 years, having tested more than 1,000 models of aircraft from World War II bombers to cruise missiles.
  • High-profile transportation work through the decades includes crash tests and research that has led to improved designs for seat belts, child auto restraints, safer tires, studded snow tires, highway dividers and impact-absorbing guardrails.
  • Calspan introduced its first crash test dummy, known as "Thin Man" in 1948. Its Liberty Mutual Safety Vehicle, built in the 1950s and featuring more than 60 safety innovations, is now on display in the Ford Automotive Museum.
  • Pioneered a cellular-based accident notification system that has evolved into navigation/roadside assistance systems used by many auto manufacturers.
  • Calspan computers designed the ramps that enabled an auto show thrill driver to perform an "Astro Spiral Jump" featured in a James Bond action film.
  • Has helped numerous U.S. Olympic skiers, ski jumpers, bobsledders and lugers "go for the Gold" by refining their techniques and equipment, and minimizing wind drag.
  • Company's main complex is located at 4455 Genesee St. in Cheektowaga, N.Y., opposite the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The company also operates a new $13.3 million flight research center at the Niagara Falls International Airport in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and a research laboratory in Ashford, N.Y.
  • Calspan also maintains a flight research operation at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. and a flight training facility in Roswell, N.M., and performs on-site accident investigations throughout the eastern half of the U.S.
  • Calspan Corporation has approximately 240 employees with a variety of talents and backgrounds. A key element in the company's success is its interdisciplinary approach. Calspan's highly integrated work force includes mechanical, electrical, computer system, software, control system and aeronautical engineers; test pilots; and aircraft and test facility electronic technicians and mechanics.
  • Company's new corporate structure includes five operating units:
    • Crash Data Research Center
    • Flight Research
    • Systems Engineering
    • Transonic Wind Tunnel
    • Transportation Science Center

 
Calspan and the B-26 Invader
 
The B-26 started flying in October 1952 and was also used for the longitudinal research work described in the F-94 section. In 1958 the Air Force ended its sponsorship and donated this B-26 along with
two others to Calspan. While continuing longitudinal research work in the B-26 for the Naval Air Test Center in 1960, the Calspan Program Manager and pilot, Giff Bull showed the B-26’s capabilities to the staff of the Naval Test Pilot School (NTPS). They were struck with the unique capabilities of the VSS and how it might be able to be used as a flying class room to demonstrate flying qualities that their students were learning on the ground. They incorporated a B-26 flight into a lecture that Calspan pilots were giving at the NTPS and it was an instant success. The AFTPS also added the B-26 demonstrations to their curriculum three years later. A decision was then made to add variable stability roll and yaw to the VSS, and convert a second B-26 into another 3-axis VSS aircraft. Both aircraft’s upgrades were completed in 1963, and forty years of TPS demonstration flights (in the B-26, NT-33, Learjet, and VISTA) have continued since then. Similar demonstration and training programs have also been performed for the FAA, NASA, aircraft manufacturers, and foreign agencies. A closed-loop throttle servo was added to the B-26 in the mid 1960s for a Supersonic Transport simulation. This was the first application of a four degree-of-freedom simulation system.
In addition to the early longitudinal flying qualities research and TPS efforts, the B-26s have been used for many other research programs. These have included:
Pilot Primary Controllers – various wheels, center and side-sticks
C-5A, Supersonic Transport, Piper Cheyenne Accident Investigation
Saab Mini-stick (early version of JAS-39 stick)
The B-26s continued flying at the AFTPS and NTPS until early 1981, when one of the aircraft suffered a wing structural failure that resulted in the loss of the aircraft and crew of three. The cause was an original manufacturing defect and not related to VSS operations. The second B-26 was then retired and now resides at the Air Museum at Edwards AFB. They were subsequently replaced by the variable stability Learjets

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The above two shots - (right front) Cornell University (becomes CALSPAN) N9146H, a B-26B-45-DL used for aeronautical research.

On the left is Marketeer N237Y in the final stages of prep prior to delivery to Standard Oil Co.

 

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Thanks to Mike Freer for the above shot, visit Mike at Touchdown Aviation http://www.touchdown-aviation.com/index.php

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N9146H November 1989 (David Hedge photo)

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Thanks to Rob's aircraft library for the above shot
Robs Aircraft Picture Library 1 www.braithwaite71.fsnet.co.uk
Robs Aircraft Picture Library 2 www.rob.clubkawasaki.com

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Above, at Buffalo in 1974
 
 

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The above three shots were supplied by Graham Robson

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Above, 1989

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Serial #: 44-34165
Construction #: 27444
Civil Registration:
  N9146H
Model(s):
  A-26B
  TB-26H
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Cornell Aero Laboratory Inc, Buffalo, NY, 1963-1972.
- Registered as N9146H.
Calspan Corp., Buffalo, NY/Edwards AFB, CA, 1972-1986.
USAFM/Flight Test Historical Museum, Edwards AFB, 1986-2002.
- Stored in museum storage yard at Edwards AFB, CA.

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Above, at NATC Patuxent River, photo supplied by  Joe Handelman

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Built as s/n 44-34653. The Air Force Research Lab had the aircraft modified to a Variable Stability testbed in the early 1960s. It was used for both AFRL projects and USAF and USN Test Pilot School curriculum flights. The Calspan instructor pilot served as the safety pilot in the left seat while the right seat flight control system was programmable and used by the student or project pilot. This aircraft was used by the test pilot schools until 3 March 1981, when it  disintegrated during a curriculum flight north of Edwards AFB. The left wing separated after spar failure. Unfortunately, the parachutes were normally tied down in the aft fuselage and neither the Calspan pilot or the two TPS engineering students got out.


Timing is everything. AFRL knew that this aircraft, and its sister ship TB-26B s/n 44-34165 (N9146), were at the end of their useful service life and were due to be replaced by a single variable stability Learjet with the next TPS class. The surviving variable stability A-26 is held by the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards and is in the same markings as the aircraft that was lost.

Serial #: 44-34653
Construction #: 27932
Civil Registration:
  N9417H
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
Name: None
Status: Crashed
Last info: 1981

 

History:
Cornell Aeronautical Laboratories, Buffalo, NY, 1963-1972.
- Registered as N9417H.
Calspan Corp, Buffalo, NY, 1977.
- Crashed after suffering port wing failure, near Edwards AFB, CA, Mar. 3, 1981.

Note
NTSB Identification: LAX81FA054
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Tuesday, March 03, 1981 in EDWARDS AFB, CA
Aircraft: DOUGLAS B-26, registration: N9417H

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 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3360   81/3/3  NR.EDWARDS AFB,CA     DOUGLAS B-26        CR-  3  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 3522
        TIME - 0928                    N9417H              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER PUBLIC              TOTAL HOURS, 139 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EDWARDS AFB,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- L WING SEPD DRG MNVRG FLT,FATIGUE FOUND AT WING STATION 141 ON LWR FWD SPAR CAP.

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Above is N237Y, when she flew for PFB Enterprises of Akron, Ohio.
Here she is parked at Columbus-Port Columbus International in July 70

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Above is 237 when she was at Buffalo - NY in June 86

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The above shot shows 237 while at Buffalo - NY in 87 and was supplied by Mike Jones Via Air - Britain

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Serial #: 41-39516
Construction #:
  7229
Civil Registration:
  N237Y
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
  On Mark
  Marketeer
Name: None
Status: Static Display
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Standard Oil Co, Chicago, IL, 1954-1963.
- Registered as N237Y.
Alsam Inc, Youndston, OH, 1966-1969.
PBF Enterprises, Akron, OH, 1970-1972.
Calspan Corp, Buffalo, NY/Edwards AFB, CA, 1977-1990.
National Warplane Museum, Geneseo, NY, 1990-2002.
- Donated by Calspan Corp.
- Displayed in 149th BS (Light), Virginia ANG scheme

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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