Lot 558
DT-2C "Drone Director Test Flight" Cover. The first version of this aircraft (T-2 Buckeye) entered service in 1959 as the T2J-1. It was re-designated the T-2A in 1962 under the joint aircraft designation system. The two-seat trainer was powered by one Westinghouse J34-WE-46/48 turbojet. The aircraft was subsequently redesigned, and the single engine was replaced with two Pratt & Whitney J60-P-6 turbojets in the T-2B. The T-2C was fitted with two much more powerful 2,950 lbf (13,100 N) thrust General Electric J85-GE-4 turbojets.
The Buckeye was designed as a low-cost multi-stage trainer. All T-2 Buckeyes were manufactured by North American at Air Force Plant 85, located just south of Port Columbus Airport in Columbus, Ohio. 273 aircraft were built during its production run. The name Buckeye refers to the state tree of Ohio, as well as the mascot of the Ohio State University. Virtually every Naval aviator from the late 1950's until 2004 received training in the T-2 Buckeye, a career spanning four decades.
Severl variations of the plane were built over the years including the DT-2B and DT-2C (small numbers of T-2Bs and T-2Cs were converted into drone directors), the T-2D which was an export version for Venezuela (12 built), and the T-2E, a similar export version for Greece (40 built).
This cover was flown on DT-2C flight number N3040 on 12 December 1977 by Major Frederick Bryan, USMC as a test flight for ITCS Drone Control. A handsritten letter from Major Bryan is inclosed which says, in part: "This cover was flown in a DT-2C while I was controlling a QT-33A (a drone). In truth, I was flying two aircraft at the same time."
The cover is probably unique and may be considered a forerunner of today's modern unmanned drone aircraft.
Estimated Value $250 - 350.
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