Fairchild XNQ
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=August 2021}}
{{More footnotes|date=August 2021}}
}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name=XNQ/T-31
|image=Fairchild XNQ-1.jpg
|caption=Fairchild XNQ-1 tested as the T-31
|type=Primary trainer
|national_origin= United States
|manufacturer=Fairchild
|designer=
|first_flight=7 October 1946
|introduction=
|retired=
|status=
|produced=
|number_built=2
|developed_from=
|variants=
}}
File:Fairchild XNQ T-31 N5726 HGR MD1.jpg in 2024]]
The Fairchild XNQ (T-31; Model M-92) is an American trainer designed as a standard primary trainer for the United States Navy during the 1940s.
Design and development
Designed by Fairchild Aircraft as a replacement for current primary trainers, the XNQ-1 featured a controllable-pitch propeller, flaps, electronically operated retractable landing gear and all-metal skin with fabric-covered rudder, ailerons and elevators. Its unobstructed bubble canopy provided instructors and students seated in tandem with good visibility, and its cockpit instruments were arranged to match those found in contemporary jet fighters.
Operational history
The XNQ-1 basic/advanced trainer was developed for the U.S. Navy and was first flown by Richard Henson on 7 October 1946. Two prototypes were flown as XNQ-1 (BuNo. 75725 & 75726). Delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1947 for trials, they were rejected due to problems with exhaust fumes leaking into the cockpit. The first prototype was subsequently to receive a number of engine changes, first powered with a 320 hp Lycoming R-680-13, then finally with a horizontally opposed 350 hp Lycoming GSO-580. The aircraft was destroyed in a crash in 1950.
The second aircraft (BuNo. 75726), with a larger stabilizer, was evaluated by the United States Air Force in 1949 as a replacement for the AT-6, with the USAF selecting it on 24 March 1949 as a primary trainer. Designed to be aerobatic to teach pilots maneuvers, such as stalls, spins and rolls, Fairchild received a contract for 100 Model 129s under the USAF designation T-31. However, the order was cancelled later in 1949, in favor of the Beech T-34 Mentor.
Fairchild dropped plans to develop the design as the company concentrated on other production contracts, including the C-119 Flying Boxcar.
Surviving aircraft
The second aircraft, privately owned, is still on the civil register as of 2021 in airworthy condition.{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Inquiry|url=https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=5726|access-date=2021-08-25|website=registry.faa.gov}} The aircraft was donated to the Hagerstown Aviation Museum in Hagerstown, Maryland in 2024.{{cite news |title=Hagerstown Aviation Museum Taking On Fairchild XNQ-1 Navy Trainer |url=https://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=38EEC6A7-9364-4150-A307-98822FF751DA |access-date=14 September 2024 |publisher=Aero News Network |date=June 9, 2024}}
Specifications
File:Fairchild XNQ 3-view line drawing.png
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1947 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co |location=London |page=228c}}
|prime units?=imp
|crew=2
|length m=8.51
|span m=12.62
|height m=2.7
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=2974
|gross weight lb=3700
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Lycoming R-680-13
|eng1 type=9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp=320
|prop blade number=
|prop name=
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|max speed mph=175
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=955
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling ft=16000
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
- List of military aircraft of the United States
- List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
}}
References
=Notes=
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- Green, William and Gerald Pollinger. The Aircraft of the World. London: Macdonald, 1955.
External links
{{commons category|Fairchild XNQ}}
- [http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Visschedijk/2578.htm Johan Visschedijk Collection No. 2578. Fairchild 92 XNQ-1 USAF]
- [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3819/is_199901/ai_n8831863 Planes worth modeling: Fairchild T-31]
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=jiQDAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+science+1950+can+our+jets+support&pg=PA97 "Navy's XNQ-1 Primary Trainer", Popular Mechanics, July 1947]
{{Fairchild aircraft}}
{{USAF trainer aircraft}}
{{USN trainer aircraft}}
Category:1940s United States military trainer aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear