Literally, a flying car, not a roadable airplane. Although not successful, can't argue with the simplicity of the concept.The Convair Model 118 flying car.
Convair Model 118 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
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Little known / experimental aircraft
- Thread starter Randy Daytona
- Start date
I'm old enough to remember "The New Bob Cummings Show" from the early '60's. Bob Cummings was an actor from the '30's through the '60's whose godfather was Orville Wright. He learned to fly at an early age and was issued flight instructor certificate No. 1, making him the first official flight instructor in the United States. The Taylor Aerocar was featured regularly in his TV program, a sitcom where he played Bob Collins, a former World War II pilot who became a successful professional photographer. http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/collection/Aircraft Info Sheets/Aerocar.pdf
The aircraft that flew the last mission of WW2 (and unfortunately suffered the last fatality - Sergeant Anthony Marchione), the Consolidated B-32 Dominator. Just as the B-24 had a longer range than the B-17, the B-32 had a longer range (and more speed) than the B-29 despite having the same engines - a function of the "Davis Wing" [Only later was the reason for the Davis wing's performance properly understood. Largely through accident, the shape maintained laminar flow further back from its leading edge, to about 20 or 30% of chord compared to the 5 to 20% managed by most airfoil sections of the era. ] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_wing However, Consolidated had problems with the pressurization system, ultimately scrapping it and thus was limited to a lower altitude than the B-29.
Only 118 aircraft were produced and all were soon scrapped after the war. On 18 August 1945, two B-32's were flying surveillance over Japan when they were attacked. Although both aircraft survived, one was severely damaged and lost a crewmember. The next day, Allied forces began taking the propellers off all Japanese aircraft.
Good article detailing the mission from The National Interest.
nationalinterest.org
Also from War History Online
www.warhistoryonline.com
Prototype started with the same horizontal stabilizers and rudder setup as the B-24
“Hobo Queen II” of the 386th Bomb Squadron, 312th Bomb Group
Only 118 aircraft were produced and all were soon scrapped after the war. On 18 August 1945, two B-32's were flying surveillance over Japan when they were attacked. Although both aircraft survived, one was severely damaged and lost a crewmember. The next day, Allied forces began taking the propellers off all Japanese aircraft.
Good article detailing the mission from The National Interest.
The Final Flight of the B-32 Dominator
The last Dominator was scrapped in 1949, leaving little evidence behind of the aircraft type that had embarked on that fateful last mission over Tokyo.
nationalinterest.org
Also from War History Online
The B-32 Dominator: The Heavy Bomber in Service for Less Than a Year
Many history buffs will be familiar with the B-29 Superfortress, which is perhaps best known as the aircraft which carried the atomic bomb during the
Prototype started with the same horizontal stabilizers and rudder setup as the B-24
“Hobo Queen II” of the 386th Bomb Squadron, 312th Bomb Group
Just saw this from the BBC. (good video)
A prototype flying car has completed a 35-minute flight between international airports in Nitra and Bratislava, Slovakia.
(not sure if Miami Vice is still the #1 new show…)
The hybrid car-aircraft, AirCar, is equipped with a BMW engine and runs on regular petrol-pump fuel.
Its creator, Prof Stefan Klein, said it could fly about 1,000km (600 miles), at a height of 8,200ft (2,500m), and had clocked up 40 hours in the air so far.
It takes two minutes and 15 seconds to transform from car into aircraft.
Flying car completes test flight between airports
The vehicle runs on regular fuel and can travel up to 1,000km while airborne, its creator says.
www.bbc.com
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* 440 pounds
Clearly, this reporter hasn't ridden on any U.S. based airlines lately...
Is it practical? I don’t know - Scotty doesn’t know either…
Practical, who knows what the market will decide.
At a glance it seems a bit better than most of the other flying cars over the years (especially the perpetually in development/running joke Moller...).
The Douglas A-26 - later B-26 - Invader. One of the many US twin engine bombers powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engines, the Invader was an exceptionally long-lived aircraft. First flown in July 1942, it stayed in the US inventory until 1972. Anyone else want to chime in on what other WW2 piston airplanes had such longevity?
A B-26C Invader on a bombing run over Korea.
A-26 cockpit interior
A-26C-50-DT, AF Ser. No. 44-35918 marked as A-26B, AF Ser. No. 43-4287 "Versatile Lady" at the USAF History and Traditions Museum
An A-26A of the 609th SOS in 1969
A B-26C Invader on a bombing run over Korea.
A-26 cockpit interior
A-26C-50-DT, AF Ser. No. 44-35918 marked as A-26B, AF Ser. No. 43-4287 "Versatile Lady" at the USAF History and Traditions Museum
An A-26A of the 609th SOS in 1969
Assuming we’re talking about longevity in US use, wiki says the C-47 was in use until 2008.
This picture is from 2005, but it looks like a “formerly piston engine” aircraft there.
This picture is from 2005, but it looks like a “formerly piston engine” aircraft there.
Would submit this favorite for consideration. Love that this thing is still going.
Now I am showing my age. I can't even tell you how many times the 47 was my cab ride. Even went to Yuma from Cecil on a 47 once, what a trip.
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