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1977 Piasecki Hovercraft Terrain Mapping Project (HTMP) #11-731957

(Note- click on any picture to make it larger)

The United States Geological Society (USGS) contacted the Piasecki Aircraft Company and teamed with them to come up with a hovercraft to help map terrain in hard to reach areas. Using the concept of their ‘Airgeep’, a craft was made that included terrain mapping sensors on the bottom. Flown by one pilot with controls similar to a helicopter, it was not too successful. The project did prove that it could be done, but with more reliable vehicles which were to come as time went on. The craft was used for 1 year in many types of terrain throughout the United States.

VIDEO link at end of this article.

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More Progress Pics week of November 14th through the 20th:

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Here are the completion pictures from the Thanksgiving Day weekend Nov 24-27th, 2016…..

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Video link: (3:23 min)

 

 

 

Published inAircraft - CivilianIn-ProgressScratch-Build and Kit-BashWhat-If?

2 Comments

  1. Herman Moore Herman Moore

    John nice to see a hover-craft make it into your Orange Fleet. Luv the Chevy Van – Always been my favorit – In 1980 almost bought one – [Ex Marine from U.S. Embassy security detail was selling his here in Cape Town. I was an hour late for the deal. – This is going to be a build that is going to be watched with special interest.
    Are those dooly wheels on the rear ?

  2. Herman Moore Herman Moore

    John, really coming well together. Are we going to see a ”Mesh-Grill” over the blade-well ?
    Another Custom Vehicle built exclusively by Egnaro Body workshop the for the GS.

    Must be under a real tight schedule [requiring a Midnight paint shop session] to get this done before the inauguration in Jan ’17.
    This definitely is being built outside of any Union Control.

Comments are closed.