The YO-3A was preceded by two equally unusual airplanes QT-2/QT-2PC and Q-Star.
QT is an acronym for Quiet Thruster. PC is an acronym for Prize Crew. The QT-2 was an experimental modification to a Schweizer 2-32 Glider. The aircraft was designed only to test the concept of quiet night time reconnaissance.
We blew the competition away in late '67 and were requested/ordered/funded to install military comm/nav avionics packages in each of our two birds and get them to Viet Nam within 90 days.
We also painted them dark blue, put some sensors in them, and some viewing ports for a "starlight scope (one of the first wide angle versions).
Whereas the birds were not "hardened" in a military sense, carried no weapons nor armor plating, and were never intended to be military aircraft; we none the less arrived in-country 8 days before the '68 TET Offensive. Yon know what happened then.
Our crews flew the aircraft 600 hrs in three months and got only 1 50 Cal through the right aileron (because of a mistake on our part).
We established the QT concept and then built the Q-Star and YO-3A Aircraft. All of this is "off-the-top-of-my-head from memory to give you an idea of what's to come. See the 2004 April-May Smithsonian Air & Space Mag. for a pro write-up by Mr. Roger Warner.
Let me clean up, and perhaps embellish, this version before posting, please.
If I should get run-over by a beer truck (or worse) before getting it done, you may use this version. For a Patch and link, you might go to YO-3A.com. Mr. Kurt Olney would be delighted to send you the patch were now using. I have given another one to a pro artist to color-correct and clean up. We're going to make hats/shirts etc. We'll fwd that version to you too.
I'm writing our complete history (in some sections I'll get lot's of first-hand inputs and serve only as a editor/coordinator) and I'll post it on our website.
Lastly, When you see the QT-2PC, it will look a little odd. Beyond that, try to find a SN, tail #, owner/operator marking. There were none: The only marks on the aircraft were Tail #1 and Tail #2. Odd,huh!Those were the days!
Dale Ross Stith
FROM: USA General (ret) George S. Walker < agency2000@telepak.net> via Dale Ross Stith<dalerossstith@netzero.com>
SUBJECT: 2004 Quiet Aircraft Reunion Announcement:
Welcome to all QT-2, QT-2PC, Q-Star, and YO-3A Aircraft people, authors/editors, ChinaPost1, aircraft museum curators, Lone Star Aero Club, OV-10 Bronco, RAC/FAC/FO Ravens, Lockheed-Martin and other aviation fans to our 2004 reunion.
Date: May 21-23
Place: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
Proposed Itinerary:
Friday: Travel, motel check-in, registration, welcome, and informal visitation in a hospitality room at the reunion motel.
Saturday: Structured activity (presentations etc) and group dinner in the evening.
Sunday: Informal visitation, local entertainment, announcements, and return home day.
Our primary meeting location will be the OV-10 Bronco Association <ov-10bronco.net> Ready Room in the Vintage Flying Museum <vintageflyingmuseum.org> at Meacham Field <meacham.com>in Fort Worth, TX<fortworth.com/01visitors>
Our primary motel site is conveniently located near the intersection of North I-35W and North Loop 820 in North Fort Worth, TX.
The complex consists of a half-dozen or so motels and some entertainment/restaurant establishments within a city block area. All of the motels appear to be new, clean and in a relatively safe area. Their prices range from $35 (Crossland) to $120 (Homewood/Hilton) per night without discounts.
The Fort Worth Stockyards entertainment area, including "Billy Bobs' and the Rodeo Arena are nearby. Downtown Fort Worth, including Sundance Square, Bass Performance Hall, and Kimball Art Museum, is only a short distance further. The Fort Worth Zoo and Colonial Golf Course are in the South side of the city.
Dallas < dallas.com>has many other tourist destinations (too many to list) and can be traveled to by light rail.
Notes:
- Local favorite foods include the best "Chicken Fried Steak", Mexican Food, and BBQ you ever taste.
- Cowboy boots and hats are common and acceptable in Fort Worth, but less so in Dallas (a.k.a. Big-D).
- Local lingo (like "Ah Luv Fot Wuth") can be used, but must be correct. I'll forward a list of common terms with a pronunciation gazetteer for your use while here.
USA General (ret) George Walker has blocked 15 rooms at the Microtel Inn & Suites (3740 Tanacross Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76137) to start, however we can block more if needed. There are other motels in the immediate area at prices ranging from $35 to $120 per night. Most are available at deeply discounted rates and we have access to meeting rooms if we reserve five or more rooms at any single motel:
Contact/Information
Name~~~~~~ Singl/Mult ~~(817)~ ~~Toll Free~~ WWW/Email
Microtel 50 222-3740
Super 8 50 55 222-0892 800 800-8000 super8.com
Homewood 110 120 834-7400 800 call-home ftwhw_sm@hilton.com
Crossland 35 45 838-3500 877 276-7752 extendedstay.com
Candlewood unknown 838-8229 888 candlewood candlewoodsuites.com
Comfort Suites 79 84 222-2333 comfortsuitesfortworth.com
Budget Suites 60 831-4220 866 877-2000 budgetsuites.com
We ask each attendee to do one of the following:
a. If you choose Microtel, call them directly to reserve your room. The rooms are blocked under YO-3A Aircraft Reunion under General Walker's name.
b. Contact General Walker and indicate your motel preference, so he can negotiate a group rate and access to their meeting room.
Finally, provide your payment information to the chosen motel to guarantee their room and contact one of us so we will know whom to expect:
· General (ret) George S. Walker <agency2000@telepak.net> 3620 Poagville Rd. Coldwater, MS 68618 (662) 233-4126
· Mr. Kurt Olney <k.olney2@cox.net> or YO-3A.com
· Mr. Dale Ross Stith <dalerossstith@netzero.com> 1001 Portofino Dr. Arlington, TX 76012 (817) 274-7331
drs for GSW