P-40 "Half-Track"

[DB2]

My grandfather spent most of WW2 working as a USAAF flight test engineer at Wright-Pat. Some time ago on another forum the below picture popped up, which I immediately recognized from stories he had told me.

He is still around and quite active, so I emailed him the picture and got this response:

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.

It's a long shot, but does anyone else have any photos of this P-40 so modified? I'm headed to see him this weekend and try to get him to document some more of the projects he worked on.

[Dan K]

DB, this is goldmine stuff.

Have you thought of contacting WIXer Zack Baughman with EAA's Timeless Voices in Aviation to have your grandfather's memories recorded to video? No cost to you.

Zack? Oh, Zack?

[Matt Gunsch]

same thing was tested on the B-29 and I believe a B-36

[TonyM]

There are photos of an A-20H/K set up in a similar fashion.

See
A-20 IN ACTION
Page 23

TonyM.

[DB2]

Now that you mention it, I remember him telling me he flew in an A-20 with that set-up once but ran off the runway on the first landing attempt.

I honestly haven't considered getting video of him telling of his adventures but would definitely be worthwhile.

[Rogue]

I honestly haven't considered getting video of him telling of his adventures but would definitely be worthwhile.

Sweet, and do it now. Don't wait!

[Zachary]

DB2, your grandfather is just the type of person we look for to interview for EAA's Timeless Voices of Aviation video oral history program. If you are interested in following up, I can be reached at zbaughman@eaa.org.

Even if he's not interviewed for Timeless Voices, I can get you started on preserving his memories for the family.

Zack

[CWBuff]

Ever since I saw this photo as a kid, I've wanted to know the full story behind it...

Anyhoo, I have this photo on my website, as well as a couple images taken from an AAF film which show a multi-wheel setup. Look HERE, at the bottom of the page.

I seem to recall seeing another photo showing the track setup, perhaps in an old Curtiss Fly Leaf... will take a looksee.


Fade to Black...

[gale_dono]

The Germans also tried this with the Fi 156 Storch. I don't have any pictures of the actual aircraft, just one guy's build of one:

http://www.ratomodeling.com/wip/storch/fi156_72.html

I suppose it's hard for us looking back to see the practicality in these sorts of things, but then we have the benefit of knowing how the war turned out. In those days when victory was far from certain I'm sure they would be willing to try anything once.

edit: Since I'm feeling lazy, what would the serial on this a/c have been?

[hang the expense]

What is wild about that bird is that it is the "XP-40".A guy I used to work with at DTs in chino worked for Curtiss in the experimental shops and built all the cowling for this aircraft.His name was Jerry Bachsbauer and was a great guy.He was 80 years old then.Now I am the old guy.

[lestweforget]

I remember reading about the tracked A-20 and B-36 , but never the P-40. Amazing. There is a good pic of the tracked A-20 here http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_media.asp?fsID=2976

[Second Air Force]

Page two of this thread has photos of the A-20:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... e&start=15

I haven't found a photo of a B-29 with tracked gear, but they did experiment with it on this B-50:

[tom d. friedman]

that gizmo gear was tested on the p-38 as well

[b29flteng]

From what I read, the idea failed on every aircraft it was tried on. My question is why didn't they stop after the first two or three attempts (or failures)? I think I read where the B-36 tread was torn off during the one and only take-off atempt. Hindsight certainly helps in judging it as a dumb idea.

[lestweforget]

Mind you, there is always someone willing to take it to the next level

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