The Piasecki VZ-8 Airgeep (company designation PA-59) was a prototype vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft developed by Piasecki Aircraft. The Airgeep was developed to fulfill a U.S. Army Transportation Research Command contract for a flying jeep in 1957.[2] The flying jeep was envisioned to be smaller and easier to fly than a helicopter.
To meet the US Army's requirement, Piasecki's design featured two tandem, three-blade ducted rotors, with the crew of two seated between the two rotors. Power was by two 180 hp (134.2 kW) Lycoming O-360-A2A piston engines, driving the rotors by a central gearbox. The first of two aircraft ordered by the Army, initially designated the Model 59K Skycar (and later renamed Airgeep) by Piasecki and designated VZ-8P by the Army, flew on 22 September 1958.[3][4]
VZ-8P in 1959
It was re-engined with a single 425 hp (317 kW) Turbomeca Artouste IIBturboshaft replacing the two piston engines, flying in this form in June 1959.[3] After being loaned to the U.S. Navy for evaluation as the Model 59N where it was fitted with floats, it was returned to the Army and its engine replaced by a lighter and more powerful 550 hp (410.1 kW) Garrett AiResearch TPE331-6 engine.[5]
The second prototype was completed to a modified design, designated Model 59H AirGeep II by Piasecki and VZ-8P (B) by the Army. It was powered by two Artouste engines, with ejection seats for the pilot and co-pilot/gunner and a further three seats for passengers. It was also fitted with a powered tricycle undercarriage to increase mobility on land.
The AirGeep II's first flight occurred on 15 February 1962, piloted by "Tommy" Atkins.[6]
While the Airgeep would normally operate close to the ground, it was capable of flying to several thousand feet, proving to be stable in flight. Flying low allowed it to evade detection by radar.[7] Despite these qualities, and its superiority over the other two types evaluated by the US Army to meet the same requirement (the Chrysler VZ-6 and the Curtiss-Wright VZ-7), the Army decided that the "Flying Jeep concept [was] unsuitable for the modern battlefield", and concentrated on the development of conventional helicopters instead.[5]
Variantsedit
Model 59K Skycar
Company designation for the first aircraft powered by two 180 hp (134.2 kW)) Lycoming O-360-A2A piston engines, given the military designation VZ-8P Airgeep. Later, the piston engines were replaced by a single 425 hp (316.9 kW)) Turbomeca Artouste IIB turboshaft engine.[8]Piasecki Model PA-59N SEAGEEP
Model 59N SeaGeep I
The first aircraft, (after the piston engines were replaced by a single Artouste), whilst on loan to the United States Navy, fitted with floats.[8]
PA-59H AirGeep II
The second aircraft, military designation VZ-8P (B), completed with two 400 hp (298.3 kW)) Turbomeca Artouste IIC turboshaft engines and seats for up to five, including the crew.[8]
VZ-8P Airgeep I
The military designation of the first aircraft as delivered
VZ-8P-1 Airgeep I
The first aircraft after the piston engines were replaced by a single 425 hp (316.9 kW) Turbomeca Artouste IIB.
VZ-8P-2 Airgeep I
The first aircraft after the Artouste engine was replaced by a lighter and more powerful 550 hp (410.1 kW)) Garrett AiResearch TPE331-6 engine.
VZ-8P (B) Airgeep II
The military designation of the second aircraft.[8]
Specifications (VZ-8P (B))edit
A VZ-8 Airgeep on display
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63[8] Flying Jeeps: The US Army's Search for the Ultimate 'Vehicle' [5]
^"PA-59H: History - Flying Jeeps Archived 2012-09-08 at archive.today". Piasecki Aircraft Corporation. 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
^"American Helicopter Museum: Piasecki 59K VZ-8P AirGeep Sky-Car I". Archived from the original on 2004-11-24. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
^ abcdeTaylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
Bibliographyedit
Harding, Stephen. "Flying Jeeps: The US Army's Search for the Ultimate 'Vehicle'". Air Enthusiast, No. 73, January/February 1998. Stamford, Lincs, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450. pp. 10–12.
Taylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
Piasecki Tests Twin-Turbine and Seagoing VTOLs. // Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 7, 1962, v. 76, no. 19, p. 83.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Piasecki VZ-8 Airgeep.
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
December 15, 2023
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The Piasecki VZ 8 Airgeep company designation PA 59 was a prototype vertical takeoff and landing VTOL aircraft developed by Piasecki Aircraft The Airgeep was developed to fulfill a U S Army Transportation Research Command contract for a flying jeep in 1957 2 The flying jeep was envisioned to be smaller and easier to fly than a helicopter VZ 8 AirgeepThe VZ 8P Airgeep II first flight in 1962Role Experimental rotorcraftManufacturer Piasecki AircraftFirst flight early 1959 1 Status Evaluation program ended no contract for productionPrimary user United States ArmyNumber built 2 prototypes Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Specifications VZ 8P B 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Bibliography 6 External linksDesign and development editTo meet the US Army s requirement Piasecki s design featured two tandem three blade ducted rotors with the crew of two seated between the two rotors Power was by two 180 hp 134 2 kW Lycoming O 360 A2A piston engines driving the rotors by a central gearbox The first of two aircraft ordered by the Army initially designated the Model 59K Skycar and later renamed Airgeep by Piasecki and designated VZ 8P by the Army flew on 22 September 1958 3 4 nbsp VZ 8P in 1959It was re engined with a single 425 hp 317 kW Turbomeca Artouste IIB turboshaft replacing the two piston engines flying in this form in June 1959 3 After being loaned to the U S Navy for evaluation as the Model 59N where it was fitted with floats it was returned to the Army and its engine replaced by a lighter and more powerful 550 hp 410 1 kW Garrett AiResearch TPE331 6 engine 5 The second prototype was completed to a modified design designated Model 59H AirGeep II by Piasecki and VZ 8P B by the Army It was powered by two Artouste engines with ejection seats for the pilot and co pilot gunner and a further three seats for passengers It was also fitted with a powered tricycle undercarriage to increase mobility on land The AirGeep II s first flight occurred on 15 February 1962 piloted by Tommy Atkins 6 While the Airgeep would normally operate close to the ground it was capable of flying to several thousand feet proving to be stable in flight Flying low allowed it to evade detection by radar 7 Despite these qualities and its superiority over the other two types evaluated by the US Army to meet the same requirement the Chrysler VZ 6 and the Curtiss Wright VZ 7 the Army decided that the Flying Jeep concept was unsuitable for the modern battlefield and concentrated on the development of conventional helicopters instead 5 Variants editModel 59K Skycar Company designation for the first aircraft powered by two 180 hp 134 2 kW Lycoming O 360 A2A piston engines given the military designation VZ 8P Airgeep Later the piston engines were replaced by a single 425 hp 316 9 kW Turbomeca Artouste IIB turboshaft engine 8 nbsp Piasecki Model PA 59N SEAGEEP Model 59N SeaGeep I The first aircraft after the piston engines were replaced by a single Artouste whilst on loan to the United States Navy fitted with floats 8 PA 59H AirGeep II The second aircraft military designation VZ 8P B completed with two 400 hp 298 3 kW Turbomeca Artouste IIC turboshaft engines and seats for up to five including the crew 8 VZ 8P Airgeep I The military designation of the first aircraft as delivered VZ 8P 1 Airgeep I The first aircraft after the piston engines were replaced by a single 425 hp 316 9 kW Turbomeca Artouste IIB VZ 8P 2 Airgeep I The first aircraft after the Artouste engine was replaced by a lighter and more powerful 550 hp 410 1 kW Garrett AiResearch TPE331 6 engine VZ 8P B Airgeep II The military designation of the second aircraft 8 Specifications VZ 8P B edit nbsp A VZ 8 Airgeep on displayData from Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1962 63 8 Flying Jeeps The US Army s Search for the Ultimate Vehicle 5 General characteristicsCrew two pilot and co pilot gunner Capacity up to three passengers Length 24 ft 5 in 7 45 m Width 9 ft 3 in 2 82 m Height 5 ft 10 in 1 78 m Empty weight 2 611 lb 1 184 kg Gross weight 3 670 lb 1 665 kg Max takeoff weight 4 800 lb 2 177 kg Powerplant 2 Turbomeca Artouste IIC turbo shaft engines 550 hp 410 kW each Main rotor diameter 2 8 ft 2 in 2 5 m Performance Maximum speed 73 kn 85 mph 136 km h Cruise speed 60 kn 70 mph 112 km h Range 30 nmi 35 mi 56 km Service ceiling 2 999 ft 914 m Armament Guns Provision for one recoilless rifle not fittedSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Avro Canada VZ 9 Avrocar Curtiss Wright VZ 7 Chrysler VZ 6References editNotes edit Wingless Aircraft Military Review April 1959 39 1 64 The Flying Platforms amp Jeeps a b Harding 1998 p 11 PA 59K History Flying Jeeps Archived 2013 01 31 at archive today Piasecki Aircraft Corporation 2009 Retrieved 26 March 2010 a b c Harding 1998 p 12 PA 59H History Flying Jeeps Archived 2012 09 08 at archive today Piasecki Aircraft Corporation 2009 Retrieved 26 March 2010 American Helicopter Museum Piasecki 59K VZ 8P AirGeep Sky Car I Archived from the original on 2004 11 24 Retrieved 2007 04 22 a b c d e Taylor John W R FRHistS ARAeS 1962 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1962 63 London Sampson Low Marston amp Co Ltd Bibliography edit Harding Stephen Flying Jeeps The US Army s Search for the Ultimate Vehicle Air Enthusiast No 73 January February 1998 Stamford Lincs UK Key Publishing ISSN 0143 5450 pp 10 12 Taylor John W R FRHistS ARAeS 1962 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1962 63 London Sampson Low Marston amp Co Ltd Piasecki Tests Twin Turbine and Seagoing VTOLs Aviation Week amp Space Technology May 7 1962 v 76 no 19 p 83 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Piasecki VZ 8 Airgeep Piasecki Aircraft Corporation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Piasecki VZ 8 Airgeep amp oldid 1139997418, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
