Back Piasecki 59H / VZ-8P (B) "Airgeep II"
1962

Piasecki VZ-8P (B) "Airgeep II"

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. This vehicle's most obvious differences from its predecessor were an angled rear duct, the installation of two 300kW Artouste IIC engines, zero-altitude zero-speed ejection seats for the pilot and added co-pilot/gunner, seating for up to three passengers, and the addition of powered tricycle landing gear meant to improve ground handling and provide a measure of overland mobility. The "Airgeep II" made its first non-tethered flight in the summer of 1962.

Neither version of the VZ-8P was dependent upon surface- effect lift for flight and, though intended to operate within a few feet of the ground in order to make the best use of natural cover, both were quite capable of flying at altitudes of several thousand feet. Both versions were found to be quite stable and relatively capable craft, able to hover or fly beneath trees and between buildings or other obstacles. In addition, the Airgeep was found to be a surprisingly effective weapons platform, able to engage targets with only the weapon and its sight visible above the line of defilade. This remains a unique talent, for even modern battlefield helicopters must rise above the line of defilade to fire their weapons (which are mounted below the rotor plane) thus revealing themselves and providing a much greater target area.

  • Interestingly, the Airgeep was also a forerunner of modern stealth aircraft: its ducts shielded the turning rotors, thus making them invisible to both radar and the human eye and giving the VZ-8P a much better chance of remaining undetected on the battlefield than was — or is — enjoyed by the helicopter.

Despite its many positive qualities the Airgeep, like most "flying jeeps" developed during this period, was ultimately judged by the Army to be mechanically ill-suited to the rigors of field operations. The "flying jeep" concept was eventually abandoned in favor of the further development of conventional battlefield helicopters, and both VZ-8P examples were dropped from the Army's inventory in the mid-1960s.

Technical data for Piasecki VZ-8P "Airgeep II"

Crew + passengers: 2+3, engine: 2 x Turbomeca Artouste IIC turboshaft, rated at 300kW, rotor diameter: 2.49m, length: 7.44m, height: 1.78m, width: 2.82m, take-off weight: 1655kg, empty weight: 1178kg, max speed: 137km/h, cruising speed: 113km/h, service ceiling: 900m, range: 55km

Comments
Hussein, e-mail, 28.12.2009reply

I am glad to see you provide this much information about this nice weapon.

I can pay top dollar for any further info, I only need a few of these and they don't have to be safe or able to land

thank you

joao carlos, e-mail, 04.12.2009reply

i need one

k.m.s.jayantha, e-mail, 09.12.2008reply

Hello'I like to know more information about airgeeps.if you do please send me it with pictures by email
thanks,
sunil.

ben hadad, e-mail, 03.06.2007reply

hello,
i wanted to know if you guys still have the blueprints for the airgeep 1 and 2. if you do please send it to me by email.
thanks
bi

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