USAF Museum Virtual Tour

[StickyDingo]

I know the majority of it is planks, but pretty cool anyway.

Follow the link: http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/full/tour-pkg.html

once inside, hold down left mouse and scroll around...



Enjoy

[flyinghorse]

That's a really cool virtual tour.
I've been to the USAF museum & it's awesome.
The Presidential hangar & the R&D hangar have some fantastic displays.
Still cant get over the size of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile's.

[Islandheli]

Go to Presidential Aircraft 085 and look in the North West dircetion.
What the **** is a XH-26 Jet Jeep????? And where can I get one......

[Islandheli]

American Helicopter XH-26 Jet JeepFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search
XH-26 Jet Jeep

XH-26 in the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Role Experimental observation, liaison and reconnaissance helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer American Helicopter Company
First flight January 1952
Primary users United States Army
United States Air Force
Number built 5

The XH-26 Jet Jeep (known as the XA-8 by its manufacturer) was an experimental helicopter developed in 1951 by the American Helicopter Division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation to meet a United States Army and United States Air Force (USAF) request for a collapsible and air-droppable observation helicopter.

[edit] Design and developmentThe design of the original Model XA-8 single-seat lightweight helicopter began in 1951 under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and the USAF. The Army's specification in 1950 had called for a lightweight, one-man unarmed helicopter that had to be collapsible, capable of aerial delivery to troops in rugged terrain, and assembled quickly with simple tools. The helicopter was to be used for both light observation and as an air-droppable rescue vehicle for downed aircrews. After a review of all proposals American Helicopter was awarded the development contract in June 1951, based on its XA-8 design proposal. The first of five prototype XH-26s flew in January 1952.

The XH-26 was constructed of aluminum, except for the aft fuselage, which was laminated fiberglass, and possessed a well-glazed, pyramidal-shaped cockpit. When collapsed, its five-by-five foot by fourteen foot container fit on a trailer that could be towed by a military Jeep. If stripped for air drop, the Jet Jeep weighed less than 300 pounds, and it could be assembled by two men in just 20 minutes. The XH-26 did not use any gears, or an internal engine like other helicopters. Rather, the Jet Jeep was powered by two 6.75-inch pulse jet engines mounted on the end of each rotor blade tip as tip jets. Designed by American Helicopter, each pulse jet weighed just 16 pounds, yet produced 35 pounds of thrust, and were started with an internal compressed air system. Since the engines did not have to be warmed up, the XH-26 could take off in just 30 seconds. The pulse jets produced no torque, and the tiny, belt-driven tail rotor was used only to improve directional control.

American Helicopter chose the name "Jet Jeep", because the XH-26 could be used like a Jeep, but in the air. It could be transported by a Jeep, and even used the same fuel.

Both the Army and USAF evaluated the five prototype Jet Jeeps. They proved to be rugged and durable vehicles with a top speed of 80 mph and a ceiling of 7,000 feet. Unfortunately, the pulse jets produced an unacceptable amount of noise and the Army found the aircraft unsuitable. Finally, cost considerations forced the cancellation of the program. The replacement of the pulse jets with ramjets was suggested, but never undertaken.