https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodyear_Inflatoplane Jump to content [ ] Main menu Main menu move to sidebar hide Navigation * Main page * Contents * Current events * Random article * About Wikipedia * Contact us * Donate Contribute * Help * Learn to edit * Community portal * Recent changes * Upload file [wikipe] Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia Search [ ] Search * Create account * Log in [ ] Personal tools * Create account * Log in Pages for logged out editors learn more * Contributions * Talk Contents move to sidebar hide * (Top) * 1Design and development * 2Operational history * 3Variants * 4Surviving aircraft * 5Specifications (Goodyear GA-468 Inflatoplane (XAO-3-GI)) * 6References * 7External links [ ] Toggle the table of contents Goodyear Inflatoplane [ ] 10 languages * Catala * Deutsch * Espanol * frsy * Francais * Galego * Italiano * Russkii * Toch'iki * Ukrayins'ka Edit links * Article * Talk [ ] English * Read * Edit * View history [ ] Tools Tools move to sidebar hide Actions * Read * Edit * View history General * What links here * Related changes * Upload file * Special pages * Permanent link * Page information * Cite this page * Get shortened URL * Download QR code * Wikidata item Print/export * Download as PDF * Printable version In other projects * Wikimedia Commons From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Goodyear Inflatoplane [300px-Goodyear_GA-447_Inflatoplane_in_fli] Goodyear GA-447 Inflatoplane at the Akron, Ohio test area Role Experimental aircraft Type of aircraft Manufacturer Goodyear Aircraft Company First flight 13 February 1956 Primary user United States Army Produced 1955-1962 Number built 12 The Goodyear Inflatoplane was an inflatable 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 orders were never forthcoming from the military. A total of 12 prototypes were built between 1956 and 1959, and testing continued until 1972, when the project was finally cancelled. Design and development[edit] The original concept of an all-fabric inflatable aircraft was based on Taylor McDaniel's 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.^[1] 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,^[clarification needed] giving the aircraft its shape and rigidity. Structural integrity was retained in flight with forced air being continually circulated by the aircraft's motor. This continuous pressure supply enabled the aircraft to have a degree of puncture resilience, the testing of airmat showing that it could be punctured by up to six .30 calibre bullets and retain pressure.^[2]^ [3] [220px-Goodyear_GA-468_Inflatop]Goodyear inflatoplane on display at the Smithsonian Institution There were at least two versions: The GA-468 was a single-seater. It took about five minutes to inflate to about 25 psi (170 kPa); at full size, it was 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m) long, with a 22 ft (6.7 m) wingspan. A pilot would then hand-start the two-stroke cycle,^[1] 40 horsepower (30 kW) Nelson engine, and takeoff with a maximum load of 240 pounds (110 kg). On 20 US gallons (76 L) of fuel, the aircraft could fly 390 miles (630 km), with an endurance of 6.5 hours. Maximum speed was 72 miles per hour (116 km/h), with a cruise speed of 60 mph. Later, a 42 horsepower (31 kW) engine was used in the aircraft. Takeoff from turf was in 250 feet with 575 feet needed to clear a 50-foot obstacle. It landed in 350 feet. Rate of climb was 550 feet per minute. Its service ceiling was estimated at 10,000 ft. The GA-466 was the two-seater version, 2 in (51 mm) shorter, but with a 6 ft (1.8 m) longer wingspan than the GA-468. A more powerful 60 horsepower (45 kW) McCulloch 4318 engine could power the 740 pounds (340 kg) of plane and passenger to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h), although the range of the plane was limited to 275 miles (443 km). Operational history[edit] [220px-Goodyear_GA-447_Inflatop]Goodyear GA-447 Inflatoplane coming in to land during ONR flight testing with tri-cycle landing gear The test program at Goodyear's facilities near Wingfoot Lake, Akron, Ohio showed that the inflation could be accomplished with as little as 8 psi (544 mbar), less than a car tire.^[1] The flight test program had a fatal crash when Army aviator Lt. "Pug" Wallace was killed. The aircraft was in a descending turn when one of the control cables under the wing came off the pulley and was wedged in the pulley bracket, locking the stick. The turn tightened until one of the wings folded up over the propeller and was chopped up. With the wings flapping because of loss of air, one of the aluminum wing tip skids hit the pilot in the head, as was clear from marks on his helmet. Wallace was pitched out, over the nose of the aircraft and fell into the shallow lake. His parachute never opened.^[4] Only 12 Goodyear Inflatoplanes were built, but development continued until the project was cancelled in 1973. Variants[edit] GA-33 Inflatoplane The initial single-seat version, with open cockpit, based on the Taylor McDaniel inflatable rubber glider experiments from the early 1930s. One built. GA-447 Inflatoplane An enclosed cockpit and new wing, used for undercarriage experiments (tricycle, uniwheel, and hydroskid). One built. GA-466 Inflatoplane Company designation for the AO-2 Inflatoplane GA-468 Inflatoplane Company designation for the AO-3 Inflatoplane XAO-2-GI Inflatoplane Military designation for the GA-466. One built. XAO-3-GI Inflatoplane Military designation for the GA-468. Five built. Surviving aircraft[edit] Goodyear donated two Inflatoplanes for museum display at the end of the project, one to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and one to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.^[5]^[failed verification] Another is on display at the Stonehenge Air Museum in Fortine, Montana.^[6] A fourth is in storage at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.^[7] A fifth is in storage with the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio.^[8] Specifications (Goodyear GA-468 Inflatoplane (XAO-3-GI))[edit] [220px-Goodyear_AO-2]Model 466/XAO-2 Inflatoplane Data from Inflatoplanes,^[9] The Inflatoplane^[10] General characteristics * Crew: 1 * Length: 19 ft 8.4 in (6.005 m) * Wingspan: 22 ft (6.7 m) * Wing area: 110 sq ft (10 m^2) * Airfoil: NACA 0015 * Empty weight: 225 lb (102 kg) * Gross weight: 550 lb (249 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 590 lb (268 kg) maximum crew weight with maximum fuel * Fuel capacity: 20 US gal (17 imp gal; 76 L) / 125 lb (57 kg) * Compressor: Pesco engine driven compressor * Compressor capacity: 27 cu ft/min (765 L/min) * Inflation pressure: 7 psi (48.26 kPa) * Inflation time: 5 minutes * Powerplant: 1 x Nelson H-63A (YO-65) 2-cylinder air-cooled 2-stroke horizontally-opposed piston engine, 42 hp (31 kW) at 4000 rpm * Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller Performance * Maximum speed: 72 mph (116 km/h, 63 kn) * Cruise speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn) * Stall speed: 37 mph (60 km/h, 32 kn) * Range: 390 mi (630 km, 340 nmi) * Endurance: 6 hours 30 minutes * Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) * Rate of climb: 550 ft/min (2.8 m/s) * Take-off run: 250 ft (76 m) on sod * Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 575 ft (175 m) on sod * Landing run: 350 ft (107 m) on sod References[edit] Notes Citations 1. ^ ^a ^b ^c Winchester, Jim (2005). The World's Worst Aircraft: From Pioneering Failures to Multimillion Dollar Disasters. London: Amber Books. pp. 126-127. ISBN 1-904687-34-2. 2. ^ CBS quiz show "I've Got a Secret" 1956 Goodyear engineer J Thomas Blair demonstrates the Inflatoplane 3. ^ Goodyear (1957). "Summary: Report of the development of a one place inflatoplane" (PDF). dtic.mi. p. 105 and Section 7 - Appendix A,"Tests to determine air loss through bullet holes in "Airmat"," p. 116. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2019. 4. ^ "Goodyear XAO-3G1 'Inflatoplane'." Aeroweb. Retrieved: 14 November 2017. 5. ^ "Goodyear Inflatoplane (GA468)". National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 10 February 2022. 6. ^ "1961 Goodyear GA-468 "Inflatoplane"". Stonehenge Air Museum. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022. 7. ^ "The Museum's First Airplane". Naval History and Heritage Command. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2022. 8. ^ "Briefing" (PDF). MAPS Air Museum. April-May 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2022. 9. ^ Inflatoplanes. Akron, Ohio: Goodyear Aircraft Corporation. p. 26. 10. ^ Stadvec, Ernest (February 1980). The Inflatoplane. Akron, Ohio: ESSCO. p. 7. External links[edit] # Wikimedia Commons has media related to Goodyear Inflatoplane. * Inflatoplane * Aircraft Finder for Goodyear AO (Inflatoplane) * GA486 at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Archived 2019-10-15 at the Wayback Machine * v * t * e Goodyear aircraft * RS-1 * Type AD * Type FA * Type FB * Type FC Company designations * Type FD * Type TZ * Type U * GZ-19 * GZ-20 Lighter-than-air * GZ-22 * E class * F class * G class * H class U.S. Navy designations * J class * K class * L class * M class * N class * AO-2 Inflatoplane * AO-3 Inflatoplane Military types * FG Corsair * F2G Super Corsair Heavier-than-air * GA-400R Gizmo * Duck Civilian types * Drake * Inflatoplane * v * t * e United States Army airplane designations (1955-1962) * AC-1 Airplane, Cargo * AC-2 * AO-1 Airplane, Observation * AO-2 * AO-3 Airplane, Experimental * AZ-1 * Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title= Goodyear_Inflatoplane&oldid=1222029499" Categories: * Inflatable aircraft * Goodyear aircraft * 1950s United States experimental aircraft * 1950s United States military rescue aircraft * Single-engined tractor aircraft * Aircraft first flown in 1956 * High-wing aircraft Hidden categories: * Articles with short description * Short description is different from Wikidata * Wikipedia articles needing clarification from March 2019 * All articles with failed verification * Articles with failed verification from February 2022 * Aircraft specs templates using more general parameter * Aircraft specs templates using more performance parameter * Commons category link from Wikidata * Webarchive template wayback links * This page was last edited on 3 May 2024, at 13:16 (UTC). * Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0 ; additional terms may apply. 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