Comments on: Lockheed's Combined Sailplane & Slow-Turning Propeller

By: Gary Freund

Gary Freund — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:05:06 +0000

For more information on the development of the YO3a see the article that Dr. Sherman Seltzer (chief engineer on the project) and I wrote for the October 2006 edition of Flight Journal magazine.

By: Phil Cooper

Phil Cooper — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:18:21 +0000

Re: "Missionary Drop"

For the origin of this technique, see the film "End of the Spear" (2006). It was first used by aviator-missionary Nate Saint in the 1950s above the jungles of Ecuador.

By: Ronald R. Gilliam

Ronald R. Gilliam — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:48:17 +0000

To Kurt Olney: Thanks for the update on the surviving birds; I'm glad at least six are still around.

By: Kurt Olney

Kurt Olney — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:40:37 +0000

Only 11 YO-3As were built by Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. 9 went to Vietnam and operated in three locations–Phu Bai, Long Thanh North and Binh Thuy. NASA currently Operates YO-3A 69-18010. The Hiller museum displays YO-3A 69-18001. Skagitt Washington has the Hanson modified YO-3A 69-18005. Richard Osborne owns the modified YO-3A 69-18003. Pima Air and Space Museum is currently restoring YO-3A 69-18006 for display. and the Western Museum in conjunction with the Cable Foundation is currently restoring YO-3A 69-18007 to flight status. Information about all can be found at http://www.yo-3a.com Kurt Olney k.olney2@cox.net

By: Ronald R. Gilliam

Ronald R. Gilliam — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:41:08 +0000

To Dale Stith: Thanks for the clarifying detail.

By: Dale R. Stith

Dale R. Stith — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:37:47 +0000

The "dummy pod" was actually a brightly painted Bowling Ball.
The "180 Degree Turn" was supposed to be a "360" of a radius to keep the "pod" centered over a designated ground location given a specific length of line payed-out: Sometimes described as the "Missionary Drop".