'Inflatoplane' Now I've seen everything!

[BLAZE]

I was watching the military channel the other night and they talked about the "Goodyear Inflatoplane". I never knew about this.
Probly cause it never really made it to service. The story goes, a pilot lost his life in it when one of the control cables broke and caused
one of the wings to fold into the prop and crash, killing the U.S. Navy pilot. They shut down the project after that.

For your viewing pleasure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xECXwc_It3Y

[jphespe]

One that I don't think has ever been publicized was the Goodyear inflatable HELICOPTER. Also build by Goodyear at the Goodyear,AZ facility, this was built off of a motocycle chassis and was to be airdropped to a downed pilot. In theory the pilot would ride the motorcycle as far as he could and then activate a pump which would inflate the helicopter systems. This ACTUALLY FLEW although only on a tether and inside the large hanger at the Goodyear facility.

[MASABI TROOPER]

Looks very useful and funny.................I would fly one of those with out hesitating............................