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Description
| Manufacturer: | Goodyear | |
| Base model: | AO | |
| Designation: | XAO-3 | |
| Version: | G1 | |
| Nickname: | Inflatoplane | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1956-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Airplane, Observation | |
| Status: | Experimental | |
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| United States Army Aviation Museum | Ozark | Alabama |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Tony Harding Rittman, OH | Interesting reading.
Would Harold Hight who posted here on 04/05/2007 please contact me at tonyh_akron@hotmail.com. 04/18/2007 @ 05:05 [ref: 16218] |
| Harold Hight Munroe Falls, OH | My father was involved in the inflatoplane project and I still have his salesman's notebook with lots of 8 x 10 glossy photos and specs on the later GA 468 (single) and GA 466 (two place). According to a 1991 Loral company newsletter, of the 12 built between 1955 & 1959 3 were sent to museums for display and a 4th was requested by the Army Aviation Museum. My father told me story that a fellow in Mass.? bought several at an army surplus store/auction and would not let Goodyear buy them back years later. Who knows?! You should post some of the later pictures. The XAO 3G1 looks pretty crude to me compared to the later models. 04/05/2007 @ 03:55 [ref: 16098] |
| John Smith , NC | We have lost over two dozen men in the V-22 and we persist in wanting to field it to create more dead alleged "heroes". The USMC is good for fielding flying deathtraps re: the Corsair and today's Harrier.
In the inflatoplane, we have a sound concept that only gets better with material and general aviation technologies. Add a recovery parachute (RP) and if for whatever reason you ain't happy with how the inflatoplane is flying, you come down by a ballistically deployed parachute. Another important possible inflatoplane application would be by SEAL teams deploying from submarines since they already use inflatible boats but this would enable them to insert/extract faster/farther but still from below the horizon under radar. www.combatreform2.com/submarineaircraftcarriers.htm 01/01/2007 @ 22:36 [ref: 15062] |
| Thomas Callihan , PA | Last I knew the museum at Patuxent NAS had one . 08/02/2006 @ 04:32 [ref: 13781] |
| Mike French , RI | Does anybody remember plans for an ultralight inflatable aircraft that was to be used as a rescue aircraft for dowmed pilots.I believe it was designed by Goodyear. 07/10/2006 @ 08:39 [ref: 13697] |
| swamp fox jr. , MO | The AIR MAT technology is used on BLIMPS. Thousands of connecting fibers between the envelope's inner surfaces retain the shape of the wings. Inflato Suacers were as well possible. Project Blue Book failed to mention the SAUCER SHAPED Blimps developed for the ARMY guys in the Little Green Flight Suits. Look at the man walking on the Wing and WAKE UP. UFO's were and are AMERICAN MADE 06/26/2006 @ 07:47 [ref: 13600] |
| Jesse Shannon , FL | I was one of the two army mechanics attending the Goodyear School on this aircraft. I was stationed at Ft. Rucker Alabama with the U.S. Army Aviation Test Board. I witnessed the crash at Wingfoot Lake, Acron Ohio. "Pug" Wallace was the Army Aviator killed. What happened was that the aircraft was in a decending turn when one of the control cables under the wing came off of the pulley and got wedged in the pulley bracket. This locked the stick and the turn just kept on getting tighter until one of the wings folded up over the prop and got chopped up. With the wings flapping because of loss of air, one of the aluminum wing tip skids hit the pilot alongside the head (marks on his helmet proved that). I saw Wallace come out over the nowe of the aircraft and fall into the shallow lake. His cute never opened. When we got to him, he was bleeding from the ears and nose. The other Army mechanic was Sam Hess and the other Army Aviator was Lt. Elton. "Pug" and I were having a few beers the night before. He left a wife and at least one child. The project was canceled. There was a two place InflatoPlane that we all would take a ride in after the class graduation. It never got to that. 08/24/2005 @ 00:35 [ref: 11074] |
| L. Buantello Beckley, WV | The name "Pug" Wallace is so easy to remember.
His name should live forever. The Names of people who have perished in auto accidents come and go because ther're so many. But in this rapidly changing world the new generations are always looking for something new as well as us old folks. I personally belive that the inflatoplane would storm the new market in aviation as long as it is affordable. Take a chance (hell they still let phillip morris stay in bus.) L Buantello 02/23/2005 @ 21:10 [ref: 9519] |
| BJ Foster Sacramento, CA | I have been interested in airplanes all my life, probably because my dad worked in the aircraft industry for almost 40 years. Of particular interest to me has been motorized sail planes, ultralights and experimental aircraft. The inflatable airplanes by Goodyear seemed a wonderful idea the worked but was never developed beyound the few that were built. I know Goodyear sold all rights to their designs to Lockeed/Martin, and I was just wondering if liability kept these planes from being sold to the public or was there something else? Is the design still protected by patents and cannot be built by anyone else? The plane as designed would probably have to be replaced after 8 to 10 years of service and would therefore be a big liability to sell to the public. I think I just answered my own question but would love to hear the thoughts of others.
BJ 11/16/2004 @ 15:01 [ref: 8638] |
| Chris Pappas Imperial Beach, CA | Good[hopefully]year If you do not want the [Inflatoplane] Let someone else with more [Balls], Build the plane for the ULTRALITE group. Whoever does it,will make a [TON] of money, and you will end up looking like the fool! Chris Pappas 10/09/2004 @ 00:26 [ref: 8414] |
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