Back Piasecki 59 / VZ-8P "Airgeep"
1958

Piasecki VZ-8P "Airgeep"

In 1957 Piasecki Aircraft was awarded an Army Transportation Research Command contract for the development of a 'flying jeep' - type VTOL research vehicle capable of operating at extremely low altitudes at speeds up to 110kph. Piasecki, at that time a leader in vertical lift research and development, produced an innovative design dubbed the Model 59K "Sky Car". The craft was built around two tandem, three-bladed, ducted rotors driven by two 135kW Lycoming piston engines. Both powerplants were connected to a single central gearbox so that both rotors would continue to turn even if one engine failed. The "Sky Car" had fairly conventional helicopter-type controls which provided directional stability through a series of hinged vanes mounted under each rotor duct. The craft had fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear, and accommodated its single pilot and one passenger in seats sited between the two rotor ducts.

The first of two Model 59 examples ordered by the Army made its initial free flight in October 1958 and, renamed "Airgeep" by Piasecki, was turned over to the Army shortly thereafter. The machine was subsequently given the designation VZ-8P (the "P" indicating Piasecki). Shortly after being accepted by the Army the VZ-8P was fitted with a single 315kW Turbomeca Artouste IIB turbine engine in place of its twin Lycoming pistons, and its first turbine-powered flight took place in June 1959. The craft was subsequently loaned to the Navy for evaluation (as the Model 59N), and upon its return to the Army its Artouste IIB was replaced by a lighter and more powerful AiResearch 331-6 turbine.

The second VZ-8P incorporated several significant design changes and was, accordingly, dubbed the Model 59H "Airgeep II" by Piasecki and the VZ-8P (B) by the Army.

Piasecki VZ-8P "Airgeep" с одним ГТД

Technical data for Piasecki VZ-8P "Airjeep"

Crew + passengers: 1+1, engine: 2 x Lycoming O-360-A2A pistone engine, rated at 135kW, rotor diameter: 2.26m, length: 7.95m, height: 2.03m, width: 2.87m, take-off weight: 1060kg, empty weight: 835kg, max speed: 105km/h, cruising speed: 80km/h, service ceiling: 900m, range: 40km

Piasecki VZ-8P "Airgeep"

Comments
Towadi, e-mail, 06.12.2010reply

Reichardt, While I do realize things these all are a half century old. Would you happen to have ANY up dated schematics of this "nature" that you could share.If you reply, please reply via Email. Thanks for hearing (reading) me out. Towadi

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charles Glazebrook, e-mail, 11.04.2013reply

I personally think The self rotating wing is a Better concept?See my (Electric) Version.At r /cuniverse or Charles Glazebrook on Twitter.It can be Safely landed with only 1 of the 2 Motors working.Not so with quad tri or twin anything?

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sparky, e-mail, 03.02.2010reply

thanks for the pictures and info.on the airgeep. i would like a copy of blueprints and associated info. thanks for your coperation.

syed imran uddin, e-mail, 15.01.2010reply

hello
this is syed imran from india
sir i request you to send me whole doumentation and necessary information to me
i would be a great help for me
i am engineering student
thank you

hassan bil aled, e-mail, 28.12.2009reply

Hello;

Please also send plans to me, I would have great use for flying gunship of this sort.

terrice josh, e-mail, 12.08.2008reply

plaese send me a copy of the blueprints via my email.

Reichardt, King of Germany, e-mail, 12.06.2008reply

These are very old 1950's designs - you guys are not getting it - they are OLD, the blueprints rotted away someplace back in the early 60's...

SOME of these actual vehicles are on display at the US Army's Fort Eustis Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis, Virginia, USA

They are all almost all OLD, OLD US Military designs. Even IF the blueprints were still around, some of you might have great difficulty getting US Military plans.

Finally - GOING FAST IN MID AIR CAN LEAD TO A VERY BIG, BIG 'OUCH' OR EVEN DEATH. That's why these did NOT catch on...

Johnny Ska, e-mail, 12.10.2007reply

It would be just lovely to receive blueprints of "airgeep" on e mail. Please do it.

SilverBack, e-mail, 25.08.2007reply

Do you have any blue-prints of this aircraft and also the mk 2 version ?

ben hadad, e-mail, 03.06.2007reply

hello,
i wanted to know if you can send me the blueprint for the airgeep. the first and second if you guys still have them. if you can please send me the blueprints and soon as possible.
please send the blueprints to my email.
thank you.
bi

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