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Description
| Notes: Close air support aircraft with short field landing and takeoff capability. Survivability increased by armor protection and redundant systems (1 CREW) . | ||
| Manufacturer: | Bowlus | |
| Base model: | Nighthawk | |
| Designation: | Nighthawk | |
| Version: | Cocke | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
Specifications
| Length: | 21' | ||
| Wingspan: | 60' | ||
| Gross Weight: | 175 lb | ||
Propulsion
Performance
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Museum of Flying | Santa Monica | California |
NighthawkCocke on display
Museum of Flying |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Raul Los Angeles, CA | I just stumbled upon your website by accident. I would like to briefly correct something on what you called the "Bowlus Nighthawk/Cocke."
Having extensively researched and written about the Nighthawk (see Soaring magazine, Nov & Dec 1991), I have concluded that we will never know the complete origins of the Nighthawk until and unless it is some day recovered. Lt. William A Cocke claimed that he and Lt. Crain built the entire glider at Wheeler Field, on Oahu. I have correspondence from a man who said that, as a child, he witnessed the Nighthawk being built from "a lot of little parts." This is not to deny that the wing and empennage very closely resemble the 16th glider that Bowlus built, the so-called "Paper Wing." Even to the point that the construction of the wing is as close to identical as possible. There is, however, absolutely no positive evidence that it is the Paper Wing. As to the fuselage, Bowlus expert, the late Richard Benbough told me that the pylon is too wide and that there are other dis-similarities between the two gliders. Also, it is no longer at the Museum of Flight. It is in storage at a location which is unknown to me. The National Soaring Museum is actively trying to acquire a loan of the glider. 05/18/2005 @ 03:31 [ref: 10250] |
