American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep

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XH-26 Jet Jeep
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Role Experimental observation helicopterTemplate:Short description
National origin United States
Manufacturer American Helicopter
First flight January 1952
Primary users United States Army
United States Air Force
Number built 5

The American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep (known as the XA-8 by its manufacturer) is an experimental tip jet helicopter developed in 1951 by the American Helicopter Company to meet a United States Army and Air Force (USAF) request for a collapsible and air-droppable observation helicopter.

A few prototypes were evaluated and flown during the 1950s, but it was decided not to adopt this type. Several examples have survived as museum pieces into the present day.

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Design and development

File:XH-26 Jet Jeep in flight.jpg
In flight

Design of the Model XA-8 began in 1951, following a specification for a one-man, collapsable helicopter that was capable of being assembled with simple tools; the intended roles of the aircraft were for observation and as an airdropped rescue vehicle. A contract for development was awarded in June 1951, and the prototype XH-26 flew in January 1952. The aircraft was made of aluminum with a fiberglass rear fuselage. It could be collapsed to fit inside a Script error: No such module "convert". container, and when stripped down weighed less than Script error: No such module "convert".; two men could assemble the aircraft in 20 minutes.[1] Power was provided by two XPJ49 pulsejets serving as tipjets; startup was by compressed air and the aircraft could take off within 30 seconds. The small tail rotor was used solely for directional control.[2]

American Helicopter chose the name "Jet Jeep", because the XH-26 could be used like a Jeep, but in the air. It could be transported by a Jeep, and even used the same fuel. The XH-26 could be dropped by air and assembled and be ready for flight in 20 minutes.[1]

Operational history

Both the Army and USAF evaluated the five prototype Jet Jeeps. They proved to be rugged and durable vehicles with a top speed of Template:Cvt and a ceiling of Script error: No such module "convert".. Unfortunately, the pulse jets produced an unacceptable amount of noise and the drag of the engines in the event of power loss would prevent safe landings by autorotation. For these two reasons the Army found the pulse jet helicopters unsuitable as it had those with ramjets. Finally, cost considerations forced the cancellation of the program. The replacement of the XH-26's pulse jets with ramjets was suggested but never undertaken; however, the Hiller YH-32 Hornet helicopter was built using blade tip ramjets.[3]

Operators

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Surviving aircraft

File:American Helicopter XA-8 XH-26-AH Jet Jeep (USA sn 50-1840) (8-22-2022).jpg
XH-26 at museum

Specifications (XH-26)

File:XH-26.jpg
XH-26 in the National Museum of the United States Air Force

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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Notes

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  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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  3. ↑ Simpson 1998, pg. 208
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Bibliography

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  • Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. Template:ISBN.
  • Simpson, R. W. Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1998. Template:ISBN.

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