American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep

XH-26 Jet Jeep

Role	Experimental observation, liaison and reconnaissance helicopter
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) was 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.

Design and development

The design of the original Model XA-8 single-seat lightweight helicopter began in 1951 under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and the USAF. The Army's specification in 1950 had called for a lightweight, one-man unarmed helicopter that had to be collapsible, capable of aerial delivery to troops in rugged terrain, and assembled quickly with simple tools. The helicopter was to be used for both light observation and as an air-droppable rescue vehicle for downed aircrews. After a review of all proposals American Helicopter was awarded the development contract in June 1951, based on its XA-8 design proposal. The first of five prototype XH-26s flew in January 1952.

The XH-26 was constructed of aluminum, except for the aft fuselage, which was laminated fiberglass, and possessed a well-glazed, pyramidal-shaped cockpit. When collapsed, its five-by-five foot by fourteen foot container fit on a trailer that could be towed by a military Jeep. If stripped for air drop, the Jet Jeep weighed less than 300 pounds, and it could be assembled by two men in just 20 minutes. The XH-26 did not use any gears, or an internal engine like other helicopters. Rather, the Jet Jeep was powered by two 6.75-inch XPJ49 pulse jet engines mounted on the end of each rotor blade tip as tip jets. Also designed by American Helicopter, each pulse jet weighed just 16 pounds, yet produced 35 pounds of thrust, and were started with an internal compressed air system. Since the engines did not have to be warmed up, the XH-26 could take off in just 30 seconds. The pulse jets produced no torque, and the tiny, belt-driven tail rotor was used only to improve directional control. The only mechanical item that had to be replaced after so many hours of flight was the intake air vanes, which were small and inexpensive and could be replaced with a small tool in minutes.

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 80 mph and a ceiling of 7,000 feet. 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.^[2]

Operators

United States

Survivors

XH-26 s/n 50-1840 is on display at the United States Army Aviation Museum in Ozark, Alabama
XH-26 s/n 50-1841 has just completed an extensive restoration and is on display in the Modern Flight Gallery at 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^[3]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 12 ft 0 in (3.73 m)
Main rotor diameter: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 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 pulsjet, 35 lbf (0.2 kN) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 84 mph (135 km/h)
Range: 104 miles (168 km)
Service ceiling: 7000 ft (2134 m)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to XH-26 Jet Jeep.

Notes

↑ "Flying Jeep." Popular Mechanics, September 1952, p. 148, bottom of page.
↑ Simpson 1998, pg. 208
↑ 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.

Aircraft produced by Fairchild Aircraft, subsidiaries, and successor companies

Manufacturer
designations

21
22
24
41
42
45
46
51
61
62
71
72
77
78/78
79
80
81
82
84
91
100
105
107
110
135
140
150
164
203
205
224
473
484
538

By role

Experimental	VZ-5 XC-120 XBQ-3 XH-26

Passenger transports	FC-1 FC-2 21 22 24 41 42 45 46 51 71 72 81 82 91 92 100 135 140 150 228 PC-6

Military trainers	AT-21 PT-19 PT-23 PT-26 XNQ

Military transports	AU-23 C-26 C-82 C-119 C-123

Fairchild (Canada)

Fairchild-Dornier

Fairchild Hiller

Fairchild Republic

A-10
T-46

Fairchild Swearingen

American Helicopter

XA-5
XA-6
XA-8

See also: Ranger/Fairchild aeroengines

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

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

Main 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/J 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-36¹ H-37 H-38¹ H-39 H-40 H-41 H-42 H-43 H-44¹ H-45¹

Main joint sequence
(1962–present)

1962 redesignations	OH-13/UH-13J UH-19 CH-21 OH-23 UH-25 CH-34 CH-37 HH-43

New designations	CH-46/HH-46/UH-46 CH-47 UH-48 XH-49 QH-50 XH-51 HH-52 CH-53/HH-53/MH-53/CH-53E/CH-53K CH-54 TH-55 AH-56 TH-57 OH-58 XH-59 UH-60/SH-60/HH-60/HH-60J YUH-61 XCH-62 YAH-63 AH-64 HH-65 RAH-66 TH-67 MH-68 H-69¹ ARH-70 VH-71 UH-72 H-73 to H-89¹ MH-90 H-91¹ VH-92

1962 redesignations
reusing old numbers

¹ Not assigned

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