Goodyear Inflatoplane

As well as their famous blimps, the Goodyear Company built military aircraft under licence, such as versions of the Vought Corsair. Of course, what they really wanted to do was build rubber aeroplanes and they got their chance in the 1950s. The US Army was particularly open to new ideas and sponsored development of the Inflatoplane (sometimes called the Inflatibird). Goodyear claimed it was 'suitable for all types of Army field operations, particularly reconnaissance'. It could be packed into a 1.25 cubic metre container and transported by truck, jeep trailer or aircraft. One proposed use was to drop the container behind enemy lines so downed pilots could rescue themselves. Testing of a single- and two-seat version carried on into the 1970s, but no orders were ever forthcoming.

FACTS AND FIGURES

© The Inflatoplane was pressurized at 544mbar, less than a car tyre, and could be inflated in less than 10 minutes. Endurance was over five hours on the two-seater.

© The original single-seat model had a 40hp Nelson engine and the two-seater had a 60hp McCulioch. In both cases the engine was started by hand-swinging the propeller.

© The Inflatoplane's undercarriage allowed the packed-up aeroplane to be moved around like a wheelbarrow.