The Air Plan

by Ryan Rankin

Air Plan Vol. 1 - The NASA RSRA

Our X-Wing and RSRA JETs/Air Drops have been extremely popular, which is not surprising given the uniqueness of these aircraft and their NASA history. The S72A-1 RSRA (Rotor Systems Research Aircraft) was developed under a joint NASA/Army program in the 1970s to test developmental propulsion and rotor systems. Two aircraft were built by Sikorsky: 72001 (tail 545 / N740NA) and 72002 (tail 546 / N741NA). Both RSRA aircraft could fly in 3 different configurations – as a pure helicopter, a compound helicopter fitted with wings and TF34 (S-3A Viking) engines on fuselage mounted pylons, or a fixed wing aircraft with the rotor removed. The RSRA was a first in many respects, and featured a crew extraction system that when activated, used explosives to sever the rotor blades from the hub allowing for crew members to be jettisoned from the aircraft via rockets. Aircraft S/N 72002 was later modified by Sikorsky to test a new “X-Wing” rotor system that could be stopped in flight and act as a wing. This newly modified 72002 became 72003 and was known as the S72X-1 RSRA/X-Wing. Both 72002 and 72003 wore tail N741NA. Aircraft 72003 completed several test flights after its conversion without the new X-Wing rotor system installed, but due to budgetary constraints, the aircraft never flew with the X-Wing. Aircraft 72001 (the first RSRA built) is now awaiting restoration at the Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker. We are pleased to report that all surplus parts we acquired from NASA are being donated to the museum to help in the restoration process. Our initial meeting with representatives at the museum took place in late March and we got to test fit a wing fillet we brought with us on 72001 - which was a perfect fit. It is so awesome that these parts will once again be fitted to the RSRA and displayed for the public to enjoy. R

by Ryan Rankin

Air Plan Vol. 2 - Connie inbound

What's cooler than a Connie outside of your shop? The answer: nothing. Standby for more info on the how and when, but needless to say, we're stoked. R

by Ryan Rankin

Air Plan Vol. 3 - The 35 Draken

We are well on our way to converting a storage bay of our warehouse into a space where the public can come visit. This space will serve as a space folks can come say hi, buy stuff, have a coffee, and check out the neat artifacts we have on site. While the inside progress is well underway, I have been on the hunt for a gate guard to have out front. It goes without saying that I am stoked to report that we've just completed the monstrous task of moving RF-35 Draken N111XD from Newport News, VA to the JE HQ in Pensacola, FL. This Draken served with the Danish Air Force and was later used by a US based adversary company to simulate bad actors in air-to-air engagements - fighting US Navy and US Air Force aircraft. This aircraft will remain a permanent fixture outside of the shop and a very limited run of JETs will be cut from it the Summer.

by Ryan Rankin

Air Plan Vol. 4 - The QSRA

The QSRA comes home. The QSRA, or Quiet Short-haul Research Aircraft, is a modified C-8 Buffalo we purchased from NASA in 2024. It was used to explore the feasibility of operating STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft from airports located in dense population centers. It employed experimental blown flap technology to dramatically improve its takeoff and landing performance. The "Q" was later tested by the Navy and performed several landings and takeoffs from an aircraft carrier without the use of arresting gear or catapults. In August of this year, we were on site at NASA Ames Research Center tearing down the aircraft. We preserved as much as we could to include the entire forward fuselage section and experimental YF-102 engines. All bits and pieces are now on site at the JE HQ awaiting restoration. Standby for updates and pics along the way.

by Ryan Rankin

Air Plan Vol. 5 - The Super Connie

Last year we teased a Constellation (or 3) were heading our way. We just wrapped up an exciting phase of a special project processing three Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellations in Virginia. The aircraft had spent years serving as parts donors in support of the restoration of Columbine II, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Lockheed VC-121A and the aircraft associated with the first use of the call sign “Air Force One.” Our work involved reclaiming previously cut fuselage sections while preserving several historically significant structures, including the cockpits of two notable Warning Stars. USAF 53-0535 was built as an RC-121D and later converted/redesignated as an EC-121H, serving with the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing. U.S. Navy BuNo 141292 served through the WV-2, EC-121K/P and NC-121K configurations and flew the U.S. Navy’s final operational Constellation mission in June 1982. We also preserved the aft fuselage section of 54-4062 / BuNo 131636, originally built as a Navy R7V-1 transport before being transferred to the U.S. Air Force as C-121G 54-4062. All surviving material from the three aircraft is now being transported to our Pensacola, Florida boneyard for preservation, storage and future projects.

The Air Plan

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