The 1959 Curtiss-Wright Model 2500 Air-Car seen (above) was an off shoot of research and development for military uses by the company. They described the Air-Car as a completely new method of transportation that successfully met the needs for a vehicle that could travel over unobstructed land, across water or over surfaces that will not support wheeled vehicles. Because or its versatility, the Air-Car opened up a new era in the trans-portation of passengers and cargo in a wide variety of industrial uses. The photos (below) show earlier versions of the craft.
The vehicle which is similar to a hovercraft with the exception that it used some of the air from two vertical propellors, driven by two 180 h.p. aircraft engines to also move it. This air flow was further directed by adjustable vents on the sides and rear, which were used for steering and propulsion.
The interesting video (below) and the following chart will give you the rest of the details of its operation and construction. The following photos via SSBB, show the the Air-Car in what appears to have been a parade passing Rockefeller Center in N.Y.C.
Letsee, 50 mph, 2 hrs. range and 2 – 20 gallon tanks. That equates to 2.5 mpg. on aircraft gasoline.
Yes…. more than a bit thirsty and expensive to run for everyday use. The main use for them was military and I think Curtis-Wright dolled a few of them up for road use to get some PR.
David you have done it again! Great stuff. I first saw this on a documentary, along with the AirGeep, which is not quite as disturbing. At least one of the Army test units ended up at the Army Transportation Museum at http://www.transchool.lee.army.mil/museum/transportation%20museum/gem.htm
This is the kind of thing that you see in a parade when you were a kid, and NO ONE believes you!!!!
They are all pretty neat aren’t they? Sure would be neat to be able to drive one.
Obnoxious music, but here is another great video. This one I have never seen before…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0g0W7DEYQ
My dad was in on this, might have been head engineer. There were two of them built. A red one and a white one. My dad has drawings.
Those drawings would be cool to see. Any chance you could scan and post them? I’d love a copy.
When I was a kid in the 1950’s we lived in NJ. I think it was when we lived in West Caldwell that there was a Curtis Write facility nearby and I recall a postcard they had showing the Curtis Wright air car. It looked nothing like these pics and video but smaller like a Corvette and looking less like a car with two big fans underneath
When I was a kid in the 1950’s we lived in NJ. I think it was when we lived in West Caldwell that there was a Curtis Write facility nearby and I recall a postcard they had showing the Curtis Wright air car. It looked nothing like these pics and video but smaller like a Corvette and looking less like a car with two big fans underneath
I grew up in South Bend, Indiana. My dad, Richard Phillips, wrote a technical manual for the CW Air Car that I am trying to locate. I’d appreciate any help anyone could provide. Thanks.