By JIM JENKINS
NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Department

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD-It was as if the fixed wing students and instructors of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School stepped through a time portal when they geared up and strapped on the Fouga CM-170 Magister, C-47 Skytrain and T-28 Trojan aircraft, but they were really preparing for the future.

As part of a qualitative evaluation, fixed wing students received one flight in one of the these aircraft, gathering their impressions to write reports on its handling qualities.

"During their brief flights, the students pay attention to its handling qualities, what its performance is like, how the systems are integrated, if it works well, if it doesn't work well and what kind of improvements are needed," said Cmdr. John Parker, senior fixed wing instructor. "It's a really big deal for the students."

Every aircraft flies very differently, Parker explained, and being able to show the students these vastly unique characteristics first hand, rather than just explaining them in a classroom, is training that can't be beat.

"In the end," Parker said, "it makes them better test pilots and better pilots in general. That's why we have the best in the world."

For one TPS flight instructor, the visit by the vintage aircraft meant a lot more. It just so happens that Veridian flight instructor Denny Roderick had his first T-28 flight in the very same aircraft that visited the school. After looking at his log book from his flight training days at Pensacola, Fla., Roderick noticed that the T-28 aircraft in which he took his first flight, on May 4, 1971, was the same aircraft that was sitting on the TPS tarmac.

"It's a great airplane," Roderick said. "It's a lot of airplane to fly particularly for a young kid starting training, because the only thing we flew up until that point was 30-some hours in a T-34 bravo. And, of course, you're talking a huge difference in horse power."

The North American T-28 Trojan's first flight was in 1949, and was used as a basic trainer for the Air Force and the Navy. Originally, it was powered by an 800 horsepower Wright R-1300 engine that had a top speed of 285 mph. Later versions saw an upgrade to a 1,425 horsepower engine with a top speed of more than 345 mph. While for most of its life the T-28 was used as a primary trainer, the Air Force used it as a counter insurgency fighter during the Vietnam War. The Air Force gave the little trainer the designation "AT-28" to show that it was the armed version.

Given the call sign "Zorro" by the 606 Air Commando Squadron at Nakhon Phanom, its mission was to interdict truck traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Zorros also escorted helicopters and flew close air support for the Royal Laotian Army. Its fighting life didn't last long though, and soon the T-28 was back performing its original mission - that of trainer.

Another trainer, the Fouga CM-170 Magister, was also visiting TPS helping future test pilots hone their skills. This twin engine jet trainer is the work of designer Pierre Mauboussin, a Frenchman known for fitting small turbojet engines to light aircraft and gliders. The butterfly-tail jet made its first flight in July 1952, and made such an impression on the French Air Force that 10 pre-production models were ordered immediately, quickly followed by more than 400 production aircraft. The Fouga Magister was also built, under license, in several other countries including Germany, Finland and Israel. Israel proved the Magister's combat worthiness when it flew ground attack missions in Egypt and Jordan during the Six-Day War in 1967.

The visiting C-47 Skytrain proved its combat worthiness over and over again during World War II. In 1941, the U.S. Army Air Force selected a modified version of the Douglas DC-3 to become its standard transport aircraft. Major modifications included a reinforced fuselage floor and the addition of a large cargo door, but other changes accounted for the fitting of cargo hooks beneath the center wing section and the removal of the tail cone to mount a hook for towing gliders.

As a supply plane, the Gooney Bird, as it was known, could carry up to 6,000 pounds of cargo, including one fully assembled jeep or a 37-mm cannon. As a troop transport, the Skytrain carried 28 soldiers in full combat gear, and as a medical airlift, the plane could accommodate 14 stretcher patients and three nurses.

Every branch of the U.S. military, and all the major allied powers, flew the Gooney Bird. The Navy version was designated the R4D. The aircraft operated from every continent in the world and participated in every major battle. By the end of the war, more than 10,000 had been built. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower termed it one of the most vital pieces of military equipment used in winning the war. The C-47 was also integral in the 1948 Berlin airlift, and saw action in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The C-47 visiting TPS was restored to the colors and configuration of the "Black Sparrow," the lead ship in the 302 Squadron, Troop Carrier Command, 9th Air Force during the D-Day invasion of Europe in June 1944. Today the restored Black Sparrow, owned by the Confederate Air Force, flies to more than 20 air shows each year. Last year the aircraft was used as a teaching tool for 45 TPS pilots in five days.

Cmdr. Bob Stoney, TPS commanding officer, summed up the reasoning for having these aircraft come to the school when he said, "These aircraft, relatively inexpensive to operate and reliable, provide a tremendous learning experience for our budding testers to sharpen their 'adaptability' skills - i.e., their ability to adapt to new and unusual situations - which will be such a central part of their jobs following graduation."

-USN-