From Rocket Belts to Air Cars, the National Archives and Records Administration holds many records related to the tests and demonstrations of the US Military’s various experimental vehicles throughout the decades. Here in the Still Picture Branch, we have photographs showing the early adoption of new technologies like the Jet Pack and the Aerocycle, which were driven by the unique needs of military transportation at the time they were developed.
The Air Car Model 2500
Although it’s no Avrocar, the Model 2500 Air Car was ahead of its time in 1960. The Army Transportation Research Command purchased two Curtiss-Wright Model 2500 Air Cars and tested them for two years, eventually deeming them as unsatisfactory for Army use. Often referred to as the “Hippo”, the Air Car had two 180 horsepower engines that ran two low-speed fans to create an air cushion.
With a steering wheel for directional control and a boat-like throttle, the driver would have to pull it up to go faster, and push it down to slow the vehicle.
Local ID: 111-SC-581096
Shared Original Caption: “FORT EUSTIS, VA. The US Army is testing a wheel-less vehicle. Designed to travel up to 35 miles an hour on a cushion of air six to 12 inches high, this four-passenger air car is undergoing extensive testing and experimentation at Fort EUSTIS. Steered by a conventional steering wheel and throttle, the vehicle is another modern step in the Army’s search for cross-country mobility. Tests over Land and water have begun already and tests over Arctic ice and snow are planned for this summer. 30 March 1960.”
(Left) Local ID: 111-SC-571145
(Right) Local ID: 111-SC-571146
The Aerocycle
The testing of the Aerocycle proved that operators without any flying experience could become proficient operators after just twenty minutes of instruction! To operate, the pilot would stand on a platform over the rotor blades and guide the two-hundred pound Aerocycle by leaning in the direction in which they wish to travel. The control mechanism governing vertical motion and speed is similar to that of a motorcycle. It flew at an estimated speed of 65 mph with an estimated range of 150 miles!
The machine, powered by a two-cycle Mercury outboard motor with a rating of 44 horsepower, was developed by Delackner Helicopter, Inc. of Mount Vernon, New York.
(Left) Original Caption: “The US Army’s Aerocycle on display at Gimbels Dept. Store, Philadelphia, PA. as part of the Second US Army’s “Operation Understanding” exhibit. Photographer: Sgt. A. H. Bonsaver. January 22, 1957.”
Local ID: 111-SC-495356
(Right) Caption: “CAMP KILMER, NJ. Army personnel conducting experimental tactical tests with individual helicopter-type lifting devices. Initial tests of the new machine at Camp Kilmer proved that operators without any previous flying experience could become proficient operators after 20 minutes of instruction. The Aerocycle shown here is piloted by Sfc. Herman Stern of Brooklyn, NY. 29 December 1955”
Local ID: 111-SC-520178
Shared Original Caption: FORT CAMPBELL, KY – Capt. Selmer A. Sundby, Transportation Research and Development, Fort Eustis, VA, operates aerocycle during Organization Day ceremonies of the 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, KY. 21 September 1956.
(Left) Local ID: 111-C-11696
(Right) Local ID: 111-C-11697
The twin-jet rocket propulsion system
Developed by Bell Aerosystems starting in 1960, the flying rocket belt started with tethered indoor flight tests before moving to untethered outdoor tests. Below you can see images of Bell Test Engineer, Harold M. Graham taking multiple flights in 1961.
Local ID: 111-CC-18782
Make sure to check out our previous blog post: Alternative Aviation: Rocket Men and Flying Platforms (Posted April 23, 2014), to see actual footage film of the testing of the Jetpack and Rocket Belt!
Local ID: 111-CC-18781
Shared Original Caption for Images with Local ID 111-SC-581809 through 111-SC-581815 (Seen Above): “The new twin-jet rocket propulsion system developed by Bell Aerosystem Co. of Buffalo, NY. being demonstrated at Fort Eustis by Test Engineer Harold M. Graham. 7 June 1961.â
… Experimental Uniforms?
Transportation methods weren’t the only thing the Army was testing. Here are some images showing the “Experimental” uniforms that were tested for both women and men.
(Left) Original Caption: “US ARMY EXPERIMENTAL UNIFORM “RAINCOAT”. Models are left to right: Florence P. Cody and Irene DeFabio. Washington D.C. June 1947″
Local ID: 111-C-3755
(Right) Original Caption: “US ARMY EXPERIMENTAL UNIFORM. Models are left to right: Helen Nemet, Dorthea Killian, Irene DeFabio, Florence P. Cody, Mildred L. Boorova, Helen M. Mersage, and Evelyn P. Draw. Front View – Washington D.C. June 1947”
Local ID: 111-C-3706
(Left) Original Caption: “US ARMY EXPERIMENTAL UNIFORM “BLUE”. Models are left to right: Haywood Aikens, George W. Cobb, Andrew W. Burge, James W. Shepard, Fred D. Banks, Edward J. Hamilton, Nathan Johnson Jr., and Edward L. Crooks. Facing Left – Washington D.C. June 1947″
Local ID: 111-C-3710
(Right) Original Caption: “US ARMY EXPERIMENTAL UNIFORM “BLUE”. Models are left to right: William Silva, Robert Hadley, Robert H. Schmitt, John H. Louis, Orville B. Walters, Dale L Orr, Edward A. Monday, and Arthur Jupolo. Facing Front – Washington D.C. June 1947″
Local ID: 111-C-3712
What kind of research and development excites you? Head over to the National Archives Catalog to see what kind of experimental records you can find! You can also check out other blogs previously posted on The Unwritten Record:
- Alternative Aviation: Rocket Men and Flying Platforms, Posted April 23, 2014
- Avrocar: The U.S. Militaryâs Flying Saucer, Posted April 3, 2014
The photographs included in this post have no known copyright restrictions. If you have any questions about the images in this post or the holdings of the Still Picture Branch, please contact us at stillpix@nara.gov.
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Generally, copies of photographic records held by the National Archives may be published without special permission or additional fees. The National Archives does not grant exclusive or non-exclusive publication privileges. Copies of Federal records, as part of the public domain, are equally available to all. A small percentage of photographs in our holdings are or may be subject to copyright restrictions. The National Archives does not confirm the copyright status of photographs but will provide any information known about said status. It is the userâs responsibility to obtain all necessary clearances. Any use of these items is made at the researcherâs or purchaserâs own risk.
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*Because so many of our requests for information cite credits and captions that appear in published works, the inclusion of a photo number in hard copy and electronic publications is of great assistance to both us and the public.
Examples of preferred credit lines are as follows:
â National Archives photo no. 210-G-C241
â Credit National Archives (photo no. 83-G-41368)
â Courtesy National Archives, photo no. 83-G-41430
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