Piasecki PA-59H Airgeep

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The Piasecki PA-59 Airgeep (military designation VZ-8P, 59K VZ-8P, VZ-8P (B) and 59H,) was an American helicopter prototype developed by Piasecki Helicopter. The Airgeep was developed to fulfill a US Army Transportation Research Command contract for a flying jeep in 1957.[1] The flying jeep was envisioned to be smaller and easier to fly than a helicopter.

[edit] Specifications

The airgeep had two Turbomeca Artouste IIC turbines (each 8.4 feet wide) that producing 530 h.p. each. They were powered by one single engine. It was 24.5 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 5.8 feet tall.[2]

The Airgeep could hover or fly up in the sky. It could also have the power of "invisibility" because its ducts shielded the propellers so it could not be seen visually or detected on radar because it flew so low.[3]

[edit] Second generation VZ-8P

The Airgeep II first flight occurred 15 February 1962 piloted by "Tommy" Atkins.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Flying Platforms & Jeeps
  2. ^ http://www.piasecki.com/pa-59h.htm Official web site
  3. ^ * http://www.helicoptermuseum.org/AircraftDetails.asp?HelicopterID=27
  4. ^ Piasecki 59H / VZ-8P (B) "Airgeep II" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data
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