Page 23 - 200802 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - February 2008

23 US Built Flying Wing Disc 23 US Built Flying Wing Disc U.S. built flying wing approach to landing. For whatever reason, the reconnaissance bomber. The O.I.C. also U.S. built flying wing disc aircraft? top entry hatch of the small 20' diameter disc informed Jack that this aircraft had "nuclear disc aircraft? was left open, leaving it exposed to the capabilities". Jack was told that this aircraft Continued from Page 22 elements. According to the O.I.C. (Officer in regularly over-flew Russia after WWII, but was Continued from Page 22 charge) of MacDill, all four aircraft had been told: "you can't print that". It was obvious to This support group (SG) was at one time flown in, and then immediately parked outside Jack that this large craft would totally do away stationed at Carswell AFB (Fort Worth Texas), at the scrap-yard. The O.I.C. also informed Jack for the need of long range bombers, escort than later transferred to James Connolly AFB that not one person had ever been allowed to fighter aircraft, refueling aircraft, support (Waco Texas). Indeed, "FLITAFF" was actually enter any of the discs since they arrived. crews, and air bases. What would be the point of painted on a hangar at James Connolly AFB. THE LARGE DISC: Measuring 116 feet manufacturing additional support aircraft, when Looking head on, they appeared as the classic in diameter (comparable to the wingspan of a B- you had an aircraft that could "do it all"? Of so-called "Flying Saucer" shape, very similar to 47 Stratojet), and standing 12' off of the ground, course this would not sit well with the military two saucers stacked one over the other. The (much higher near the edge) the largest of the industrial complex which stands to make pilot/crew compartment appearing as a bubble four discs must have been a sight to behold. The billions of dollars manufacturing ordinary run- shaped contour located directly in the middle of O.I.C. permitted Jack to walk under and around of-mill support aircraft. This specific point was the top of the disc. There was nothing forward this aircraft, but was soon told to come out from brought home during President Dwight D. of the pilot's compartment other than the sloping under it due to possible safety issues. Jack Eisenhower's farewell address to the nation surface. That compartment, featured a "spinal specifically noted that the port main landing delivered on January 17, 1961. President fairing" that ran from the canopy, and tapered gear of the large craft was partially collapsed, Eisenhower stated that "In the councils of back towards the trailing edge of the disc, causing the aircraft to lean to the left. Each main government, we must guard against the narrowing down to a very high vertical tail. The landing gear consisted of 6 wheels, measuring 5' acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether small 20' diameter craft had a crew of one, with in diameter. The nose gear had an incredible 32 sought or unsought, by the military-industrial an air-intake on both sides of the pilot's wheels, each measuring 2-1/2 to 3 feet in complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of compartment, and two exhaust ports at the aft diameter. Indeed, Jack recalled that "the front misplaced power exists and will persist." This lower portion of the disc. The air-intakes could landing gear had more wheels than I had ever he knew from personal experience, and was best be described as looking very similar to that seen on any aircraft before". Although all of the well aware that when the military and defense of a Harrier or Douglas A-7 Skyhawk. This tires on this craft were flat, Jack noted that they contractors "slept together" bad things happen. aircraft also employed control surfaces along did not appear exceptionally worn. A door was AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE: When the circumference of the disc. Jack also recalled located on the port side of the craft, for access to Jack asked the O.I.C. if these were the Flying that all four aircraft had a small black "non-slip" the crew compartment. Immediately behind the Saucers everybody was reporting, he was given walk-way that ran along the length of the door, were three oblong rectangular shaped an affirmative reply. It's clear that what was fuselage, leading up to the pilot/crew windows that ran along both sides of the being reported in the news media as "Flying compartment. According to Jack, the smaller fuselage (see illustration #23). These may have Saucers" was one of the smaller craft, disc seemed to incorporate a sort of been stations for the flight engineer, navigator, specifically the 40' diameter model. The overall magnifying/enlarging optical sight, which was and weapon systems operator. The extreme logistics and tremendous costs involved in directly embedded into the 1-1/2 to 2" thick forward section of the crew compartment manufacturing the giant 116' model may have canopy windows, which may also have been looked like the nose of a Curtiss C-46 transport prevented it from being produced in great used as a flat armored glass windscreen. The aircraft. The large craft employed two air- quantity. Jack was never briefed on the exact standard Air Force insignia, and the designation intakes on both sides of the crew compartment, propulsion system utilized by the four craft, or "XPERIMENTAL" followed by "USAF", was and four exhaust ports at the aft bottom end of who specifically built these aircraft. Jack also visibly printed starting immediately behind the the craft. The air intakes blended beautifully inquired why they had been discontinued, and windows of the compartment on towards the into the sides of the fuselage and upper portion was told that it had to do with maneuverability tail. On the upper surface of the vertical of the disc. It was clear that the crew problems, and that the U.S.A.F. now had "better stabilizer, there was the identification "U.L." compartment had room for a pilot and co-pilot ones". In regards to the specific performance of which stood for "Unlimited Altitude". Jack was who sat side-by side. The main cabin/fuselage these aircraft, Jack was told directly by the informed that the discs had considerable various appeared very similar to that of a Douglas DC- O.I.C. that "we could fly so fast as to attain uses. The O.I.C. permitted Jack to actually kick 6 passenger airliner, with enough room for a sufficient altitude to be classified as achieving the tires of the smaller 40' craft, while the O.I.C. central isle, and two seats on either side. The space flight". This is consistent with the official stood nearby and snapped a photo in the upper portion of the vertical stabilizer had the USAF classification that space flight begins at process. The 40' disc featured a hinged canopy designation "U.S." which stood for "Upper an altitude of 50 miles, or approximately that flipped up to allow entry for the pilot. All Stratosphere" 265,000 feet. For Jack's article, the O.I.C. told four discs were polished aluminum silver in Jack specifically recalls that the him that he could state that these aircraft could color, with the aircraft skin seams and rivets unusually high vertical stabilizer was "higher "exceed Mach 1", a very conservative under- clearly visible. Jack recalled that the aircraft than shopping mall parking lot lights" It was statement to say the least. Jack inquired how "skin" was in good condition, and did not show evident that the main landing gear retracted these aircraft could avoid burning up while signs of excessive oxidized wear. He was also inside the main body of the disc, with the gear descending from such high altitudes. He was permitted to run his hand along the edge of the moving up and away from the centerline of the told that during re-entry these aircraft "skip" smaller discs. Amazingly, each aircraft was so aircraft. The nose gear retracted to the rear and across the upper portion of the atmosphere, exceedingly streamlined that it appeared as up inside the bottom of the disc. Flight control thereby slowing down and dissipating the though each craft were made out of one piece. surfaces were located along the circumference extreme heat (similar to a flat rock when thrown The discs themselves, regardless of size, all had of the disc, similar to the 20' model. Jack across a body of water). Jack was also told by tricycle landing gear. The size of the aircraft, remembers seeing what may have been bomb the O.I.C. that "had we had different power determined how many wheels on each. The 20' bay doors located on the bottom surface of the source engines, we could have gone into orbit" and 40' discs incorporated a single wheel on all disc. These may have been used for the release (orbital flight requires 17,500 mph, 25,000 to three landing gear struts, while the 70' diameter of 10' diameter in-flight radio controlled flying reach the moon and planets). Jack was also told version used dual wheels all around. When Jack wing disc bomb drones. Indeed, Jack that these aircraft were more secret than the was permitted to walk around these discs, it was remembers seeing flying wing disc drones in "Manhattan Project". Authors special note: clear to him that both the 20' and 40' diameter various stages of disrepair at the scrap-yard, Those that are skeptical of the reality of man- craft were of single pilot design, while the 70' near the four discs. These bombs were capable made flying saucers would do well to review the craft was a two seat tandem model. Jack also of being delivered with "pin-point" accuracy sighting made by former Mercury Seven recalled that on the very forward leading edge decades before Lockheed F-117 Stealth Fighters astronaut and test pilot Gordon Cooper. of all of the discs, there appeared to be a dropped "smart bombs" on Iraq during the Gulf "retractable slotted window", which may have War. This indicates that the primary mission for Continued on Page 25 been used to improve pilot visibility during this aircraft may have been that of a long range