American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep

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XH-26 Jet Jeep

Role	Experimental observation helicopterType of aircraft
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.

Design and development

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 5 by 5 by 14 feet (1.5 by 1.5 by 4.3 m) container, and when stripped down weighed less than 300 pounds (140 kg); two men could assemble the aircraft in 20 minutes. 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.

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.

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 80 mph (130 km/h) and a ceiling of 7,000 feet (2,100 m). 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.

Operators

United States

Surviving aircraft

50-1840 – XH-26 in storage at the United States Army Aviation Museum in Ozark, Alabama
50-1841 – XH-26 on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Specifications (XH-26)

XH-26 in the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 12 ft 0 in (3.73 m)
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Empty weight: 298 lb (135 kg)
Gross weight: 705 lb (320 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × American Helicopter XPJ49-AH-3 pulsejet , 35 lbf (0.16 kN) thrust each
Main rotor diameter: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)

Performance

Maximum speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 kn)
Range: 104 mi (168 km, 90 nmi)
Service ceiling: 7,000 ft (2,134 m)

References

Notes

^ Hearst Magazines (September 1952). "Flying Jeep". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. p. 148.
"American Helicopter Co. XH-26 Jet Jeep". National Museum of the US Air Force. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
Simpson 1998, pg. 208
"Restoration". United States Army Aviation Museum. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
Skaarup, Harold A. (2002). Alabama Warbird Survivors 2003. iUniverse. p. 16. ISBN 9780595256013.
"American Helicopter Co. XH-26 Jet Jeep". National Museum of the US Air Force. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
"Airframe Dossier - American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep, s/n 50-1841 USAF". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
Apostolo 1984, p. 121.

Bibliography

Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. ISBN 0-517-439352.
Simpson, R. W. Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-85310-968-1.

Fairchild aircraft

Manufacturer
designations

21
22
24
41
42
45
46
51
61
62
71
77
78/78
79
80
81
82
91
100
105
107
110
150
164
203
205
224
473
484
538

By role

Experimental	VZ-5 XC-120 Packplane XBQ-3 XH-26 Jet Jeep
Passenger transports	FC-1 FC-2 21 22 24 41 42 45 46 51 71 81 82 91 92 100 Pilgrim 150 228 (Pilatus) PC-6
Military trainers	AT-21 Gunner PT-19 PT-23 PT-26 XNQ
Military transports	AU-23 Peacemaker C-26 Metroliner C-82 Packet C-119 Flying Boxcar C-123 Provider
Drones and missiles	AQM-41 KAQ SD-5 Osprey SM-73 Goose

Fairchild (Canada)

Fairchild-Dornier

Fairchild Hiller

Fairchild Republic

Fairchild Swearingen

American Helicopter

XA-8

See also: Ranger/Fairchild aeroengines; Fairchild Industries

United States helicopter designations, Army/Air Force and Tri-Service systems

Numerical sequence used by USAAC/USAAF/USAF 1941–present; U.S. Army 1948–1956 and 1962–present; U.S. Navy 1962–present

Army/Air Force sequence
(1941–1962)

Prefix R-, 1941–1948	R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-6 R-7 R-8 R-9 R-10 R-11 R-12 R-13 R-14 R-15 R-16
Prefix H-, 1948–1962	H-5 H-6 H-9 H-10 H-11 H-12 H-13 H-13J H-15 H-16 H-17 H-18 H-19 H-20 H-21 H-22 H-23 H-24 H-25 H-26 H-27 H-28 H-29 H-30 H-31 H-32 H-33 H-34 H-35 H-36 H-37 H-38 H-39 H-40 H-41 H-42 H-43 H-44 H-45

Tri-Service sequence
(1962–present)

1962 redesignations	H-13 H-13F H-13J H-19 H-21 H-23 H-25 H-34 H-37 H-43
New designations	H-46 H-47 H-48 H-49 H-50 H-51 H-52 H-53 CH-53/E/K HH-53/MH-53 H-54 H-55 H-56 H-57 H-58 H-59 H-60 UH-60 SH-60 HH-60 MH-60 H-61 H-62 H-63 H-64 H-65 H-66 H-67 H-68 H-69 H-70 H-71 H-72 H-73
Alternate sequence	H-1 AH-1/J/T/W/Z UH-1/N/Y H-2 G H-3 CH-3/HH-3 SH-3 H-4 H-5 H-6 AH-6 MH-6 OH-6
Non-sequential	H-90 H-92 CH-92/VH-92 H-139

Not assigned

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