XCGS 16 Bowlus footage

[jspott]

The CAF socal wing posted some interesting footage of the bowlus combat glider prototype

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4RZ1LLvz-M&t=746s

[Forgotten Field]

The pilot in the t-shirt, ball cap, and sunglasses is Richard DuPont, who was killed after a parachute failure jumping from the prototype. I flew off his airfield just before his son died in the 1980's.

[hercules130]

WOW!!!! Thanks for sharing!

Gary

[gliderman1]

MC-1/XCG-16:
This video is fantastic! But, the comments ae not accurate.
There were only three of this design. Chronologically, they were,
1. the 1/2 scale "dry cleaner" article.
2. the full scale MC-1
3. the delivered USAAF XCG-16.
The MC-1 carried only an NC number, not a USAAF contracted number. The windows in the front of the cargo sections could not be seen through as in this video. They were simulated black painted windows. This glider was not towed by a B-17. Its test flights in CA were towed from March Field by a C-60 as it was on its day of misfortune, the day Richard duPont jumped from it and was killed because his chute was deployed too close to the ground. This was September 11, 1943 well before the XCG-16 was ready to fly. The idea was to sell the glider to the Commerce Dept rather than the AAF who had already rejected the design. That night they were planning to fly a glider load of fresh California oranges to give to the US Congressmen in Washington, DC to help them decide to buy through the Commerce Dept rather than the War Dept.
The XCG-16 was not delivered to the USAAF until late August 1944. It was towed overnight from March Field to Clinton County Army Air Field (which today is the ABX/Amazon package sorting field) by a B-17 name of "Miss Barbara". The glider had a crew of USAAF glider test people aboard for the flight. The XCG-16 was not given its official USAAF flight tests at CCAAF until middle of October 1944. Richard duPont never flew this XCG-16 glider as stated. This information is quoted from research for and printing of "Silent Ones WWII Invasion Glider Test & Experiment."

[marine air]

Such a weird design. I'm going to have to look at it again tomorrow to "wrap my brain around it." Lots of unique ideas in it's design.

[airnutz]

While your looking at that MarineAir, look up Vincent Burnelli...interesting guy. The New England Air Museum, last time I checked, has the remains of his Loadmaster design which flew into the early 60's.

[phil65]

The Loadmaster is in NEAM restoration hangar. They let the public in the day after Thanksgiving. I took some photos, I will post them later.
https://www.neam.org/restoration-cby3.php

Phil

[airnutz]

Perfect timing! Great! Thanks Phil!