Glider to Jet - in one airframe...

[Felix/FFDS]

This airplane was designed/built as a heavy troop/cargo glider, but was produced as a piston engined airplane.  On the way, it was tested with turbojets (variants had auxiliary turbojet power) and some turboprop conversions....

(Not the DC-3/C-47 - while it made a good glider (was tested as such) it wasn't designed to be one, and no pure jet conversions are known to have been flown)

[Hagar]

Is this a quiz?

If so I think I know the answer. I'll give the others a chance first.

[Rifleman]

Me-323 Gigant

[Felix/FFDS]

Me-323 Gigant

Glider - Yes
Piston engines - Yes
Turboprops - No.
Turbojets - No.


Next?

[Woodlouse2002]

Didn't the Bell X1 have gliding properties? Or did I dream that?

[ozzy72]

With those wings I'd think the X-1 wasn't a great glider.
Felix has posed a really tough one here, 'cos like Ken I would have plumped for the Me-323.

Mark

[Hagar]

Didn't the Bell X1 have gliding properties? Or did I dream that?

Woody. The Bell X-1 was basically a rocket-powered glider fitted with a landing skid. It would certainly have to possess gliding qualities for landing, like the Space Shuttle. It was not a heavy troop carrier & was never fitted with piston or turboprop engines.

Like the others I was going to suggest the Me 323 Gigant. I've seen references to it being tried with JATO as opposed to RATO. I missed the bit about the turboprops.

PS. I do know the answer now but that would be cheating.

[Felix/FFDS]

Fairchild C-123 Provider.

Design was started as a heavy cargo glider, made a couple of test flights, but its value as a powered aircraft was quickly noticed.

Subsequently not only was it converted into a four engined aircraft (auxiliary turbojets), but also tested as a pure jet aircraft.

Late in its life, turboprop conversions were made that are still (at last report) flying.

[Mike Thurman]

Ah, i remember reading about that plane in the DK Aircraft book. Very strange.