Tracked landing gear ...

[Mark Allen M]

Somewhat hard to tell if they really could actually retract

[DB2]

Here's a P-40 below with an attempt at main tracks for gear.

DB2, do you have any more info on this P-40 and where this was taken? Notation on the cowl reads "Engine sprayed 1-1-44" and "Don't turn" on the prop; was this plane also being used to test a preservative oil? Very unusual for an early model (B or C?) to still be in use at that late date. Do you have a larger copy of the photo?

I actually remembered I had posted a response of his on WIX ten years ago, when this photo came up before. He's since, like most of that generation, moved on to the great hangar in the sky. Here's what he emailed me, I unfortunately don't have any other information:

I don't believe it!!! I was project engineer for this modification. This is a one of a kind photo, as well as aircraft. This was taken c. 1943-4 at Wright Field, now Wright Patterson AFB, in Dayton O. This PIX was taken in the modification hanger. I must have ordered the PIX taken. The plane was a XP-40 No 0004.

The purpose of this experimental landing gear, was to try to have a low flotation landing gear, that could be used on sandy beaches, ostensibly in South Asia.

The track was a bunch of fan belts bonded to the tread. It had one flight and 5 guys had to push the plane with it at full throttle, to get it to move an inch, then it sorta loosened up, and started to roll. It took off and landed, me suffering a thousand deaths as it touched to runway. Proof of principle.

Shortly after, a General back from South East Asia, was shown it. His comment: if we want to fly off beaches we call the Navy. End of story and project.

[Tulio]

I am pretty sure, that I have seen a photo of a Russian (Soviet) bomber, with 4 T-34 tanks as landing gear. IIRC, it was so heavy, that I could not fly.

A search with Google, came up empty so far.

BUT, I managed to get these images, one of them of a "glider tank" and the others, one of a German airplane with an interesting landing gear configuration. The other from Modern Mechanics, seems to illustrate a theme that was at least at that time, worthy of research and writing.

I have left the names as they appear on each image's website, for identification and credit purposes.

Saludos,


Tulio

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[Tulio]

And this is the Flying Tank:

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