Curtiss-Wright X-19
The U.S. Air Force contracted Curtiss-Wright for
two extensively modified X-100 executive VTOL aircraft. They were
fitted with ejection seats, rescue hoist, mock refueling probe,
and had a fuselage stretch for improved passenger access. The first
aircraft's first flight was in November 1963.
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In August 1965, a transmission failure caused an asymmetric lift
situation that gave the pilots an opportunity to test the functionality
of their ejection seats. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash,
and the program was canceled four months later. The second aircraft
(S/N 62-12198A, pictured above) never flew. It was transferred
to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 2007.
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