Goodyear GA-468 Inflatoplane
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Uploaded by jaglavaksoldier on Dec 20, 2009
The Goodyear Inflatoplane was an experimental aircraft made by the Goodyear Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, well known for the Goodyear blimp. Although it seemed an improbable project, the finished aircraft proved to be capable of meeting its design objectives although its sponsor, the United States Army, ultimately cancelled the project when it could not find a "valid military use for an aircraft that could be brought down by a well-aimed bow and arrow."
The original concept of an all-fabric inflatable aircraft was based on Taylor McDaniel inflatable rubber glider experiments in 1931. Designed and built in only 12 weeks, the Goodyear Inflatoplane was built in 1956, with the idea that it could be used by the military as a rescue plane to be dropped in a hardened container behind enemy lines. The 44 cubic ft (1.25 cubic meter) container could also be transported by truck, jeep trailer or aircraft. The inflatable surface of this aircraft was actually a sandwich of two rubber-type materials connected by a mesh of nylon threads, forming an I-beam. When the nylon was exposed to air, it absorbed and repelled water as it stiffened, giving the aircraft its shape and rigidity. Structural integrity was retained in flight with forced air being continually circulated by the aircraft's motor.
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Cracked
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omg i want it!
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When I finally make my Half-Life-2-inspired FPS game, all eight vehicles from the Cracked article are going to be in it. And yes, the wings are going to fall off the inflatoplane at one point.
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I'd love to have one to play with in Fallout New Vegas.
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cracked...
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Thats one weird plane...
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@DevilMaster I bet with modern materials you could make a really effective version of this for hobby pilots.
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This was obviously unworkable as a military airplane (what good is an airplane that can be even shot down with a bow and arrow?) but they should've recycled it as an ultralight for amateur pilots.
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I know what I want for Christmas...
BlacktailDefense 2 years ago 15
Thanks for posting this. I saw one of these at Fort Bragg, NC in the late 1950's as a demo on Armed Forces Day.
electricbuilder 9 months ago 4