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The Goodyear Model 466 Inflatoplane was an American two-seater inflatable light aircraft with a completely pneumatic air-frame first flown as a prototype in 1956 and developed for the US military - the inflatable aircraft project ending in 1973. The Goodyear Model 466 Inflatoplane had wing and tail assemblies made of rubberised fabric called 'Airmat'. The Goodyear Model 466 was powered by a McCulloch 4318E engine providing a top speed of 112 kmh and a flying time of 5.4 hours endurance. A compressor could be fitted at the back of the engine to maintain air pressure within the airframe, even after puncturing by several .30 inch calibre bullets.
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The Goodyear Model 468 Inflatoplane was an American single-seater inflatable light aircraft with a completely pneumatic air-frame first flown as a prototype in 1956 and developed for the US military - the inflatable aircraft project ending in 1973. The Goodyear Model 468 Inflatoplane had wing and tail assemblies made of rubberised fabric called 'Airmat'. The Goodyear Model 468 was powered by a Nelson H-63A engine providing a top speed of 115 kmh and a flying time of 6.5 hours endurance. A compressor could be fitted at the back of the engine to maintain air pressure within the airframe, even after puncturing by several .30 inch calibre bullets. The US Army and Navy both bought Goodyear Model 468 Inflatoplanes during the late 1950's.
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During the 1950's and 1960's the US government sponsored the Goodyear company to researched inflatable aircraft, two practical models of the 'Inflatoplane' being developed and flown the Goodyear Model 466 and Goodyear Model 468. Both aircraft when deflated were small packets - weighing 130 kg and 102 kg respectively - that could be carried upon a truck, and inflated by pumping in air. The fuselage of the Inflatoplane was of rubberised airship fabric, the wing and tail assemblies being of a proprietary rubberised fabric known as Airmat which consisted of two layers of nylon fabric joined by thousands of dropped threads.
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2010 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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