Grumman, the people that made the planes 12 SEPT 2010

[armyjunk2]

The people in here are the experts, someone will respond. I'm just the poster, the engine is Volkswagen, the dual port heads came out around 1971, that would be one hot engine in a bug.....

[JDK]

I know very well what image caption said- it is obviously problem to ask more info here

Not really, armyjunk posted at the beginning of the thread, IIRC, that the pictures weren't his area of expertise, but were scanned by a now-gone friend, and he kindly is sharing them with us. As someone familiar with the byways of aviation, like yourself, but it's a new one on me, I have to say, so it's time to google perhaps.

Yet again, amazing photos.

[armyjunk2]

Its a Porsche engine......sorry about that

[Michel C-GNCJ]

Looked like the same engine I had in my VW minivan... but you might be right with the Porsche.

[Mgawa]

All right, all right. Nice effort is made by poster for sure. And I don't use google to search material as well forum is most useful places where info could be found. When somebody ask me I give clear and constructive answer. I have on my drawing boards few designs of the WIG and hower wings and I am very informed with technology and calculations as well operational performance. In 1982 I am graduated as rocket technician in the military rocket centre and from 1988 I work as composite craftsman. Visually nothing is unkown fro me on this image, in technical aspect.

This image is maybe more of historic importance abvout the research in the field of the ground effect machines. So I ask again- if any have more info I would be gratefull to have it. In other hand if my questins and presence is irritative I would not take any post here and keep my self silent.

Thank you for your attention JDK

Best regards,

Srecko Bradic, Srbija

www.letletlet-warplanes.com
srecko.warplane@gmail.com

[Ryan Keough]

As posted in another thread... reposted here for reference.

The Gyrodyne Air Cushion Vehicle is a Model GCA-55:

THE GYRODYNE MODEL GCA-55
The Gyrodyne Model 55 in a single-seat ground cushion vehicle of the annular jet type, powered by a 72 h.p. Porsche four-cylinder engine. It was developed under a U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics contract and flew for the first time in October, 1959.

The basic fuselage structure of the Model 55 consists of the modified forward portion of an XRON-1 Rotorcycle, including the pilot's seat, control column, rudder pedals and throttle. The pilot's longitudinal, lateral and directional controls are of the conventional helicopter type. The throttle control is located to the left of the pilot in the position of the collective-pitch control in a helicopter. The cyclic stick and the rudder pedals are connected to a series of vanes located in the annular jet exit.
The vehicle's air duct is bell-shaped and is constructed of aluminium spinnings. The engine is located to the rear and drives an axial-flow fan of 1.025 pressure ratio. Beneath the fan the air is ducted to an annular jet in the periphery of the base and to radial slots in the base. The annular jet produces the elevated static pressure underneath the base which provides lift augmentation. The radial jets tend to compartmentize the pressurized air beneath the base of the vehicle and thus provide positive static stability.

-------------------------------

DIMENSIONS.—
Diameter of air duct 6 ft. (1.83 m.)
Overall height approx. 5 ft. (1.52 m.)
WEIGHTS.—Weight empty 535 lb. (243 kg.)
Max. loaded weight 800 Ib. (363 kg.)
PERFORMANCE.— Operating height above ground approx. 6 in. (15 cm.)

[glyn5]

The pilot reminds me of Ernie Bilko!

[lmritger]

Well I'll be damned. A US Navy Porsche. I'm very, VERY glad I was never offered a bet on whether such a thing ever existed, because I would have lost very, very badly.

And here I thought I knew a lot about Porsches... this will be an EXCELLENT addition to our PCA chapter newsletter! Thanks for these as always, this is a particularly fantastic find!

Lynn (proud owner, 1987 944S)

[lmritger]

This image is maybe more of historic importance abvout the research in the field of the ground effect machines. So I ask again- if any have more info I would be gratefull to have it. In other hand if my questins and presence is irritative I would not take any post here and keep my self silent.

Easy there, Srecko, no one's out to get you or piss you off... it was an honest answer. You seem to have a great deal of knowledge about such things, which is great, but there's no need to take offense to a simple, honest response such as armyjunk's... no malice was intended. I have zero information about this item, but perhaps you know about the Avro Aircar which is at the Ft. Eustis Transportation Museum, not far from my home in Newport News, VA?

Lynn

[Mgawa]

To regret I did not reseach much about the Avro project. Most interesting at all is the project of flying saucer they made and then handed to the US for continuing trials. As well you are close to the museum mentioned maybe you could made one topic about this aircraft.

Merry Christmas

[armyjunk2]

Hazelhurst Field

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[Mgawa]

Finaly something from WW1

[armyjunk2]

.....These photographs came from the Archives at Grumman Memorial Park Calverton, Long Island, New York and The Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, Long Island. My friend Leo Polaski spent many long hours scanning these........a right click and save will give you photo info. I hope everyone enjoys these

These photographs do not belong to me, they belong to the respective Museums ALL permission to use these photographs in publications MUST be obtained from the Museums, I ONLY have permission to post here as long as no profit is obtained by me.


HEINRICH

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[mustangdriver]

Amazing photos. Very cool.

[armyjunk2]

thank you Mustang, they amaze me when I see them.....