The FReeper Foxhole Studies The Military Jeep - October 17th, 2003

refer to 'Educational Sources' | various

[snippy_about_it]

ROTFLOL. Yep, refining search parameters is an art. ;)

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Snippy. Gotta love the Jeep. Basic design in 49 days and it's a legend of WWII

The Hafner Rotabuggy
- a standard Army "Jeep" with free-wheeling rotor and stabilizing tail unit.

Austrian Raoul Hafner began preliminary work on helicopter models in the mid 1920s, and in 1928 began the design of his first aircraft, the Hafner R.l helicopter Financed by the Scottish cotton millionaire, Major J. A. Coats, this had a comparatively short fuselage and a large diameter (9.14 m/30ft) three-bladed main rotor; power was provided by a 22 4 kW (30-hp) ABC Scorpion flat-twin piston engine. When tested at Vienna in 1930 it was soon found that the gyroscopic action of this rotor was too great and as a result, only a few brief hops were made.

Raoul Hafner's wartime work included the design and development of the Rotachute, a man carrying glider with a rotating wing. Towed by an aircraft to he~ghts of some 1220 m (4,000 ft), it could be piloted in any direction after release. This was seen as a stage in the development of a man carrying 'parachute' with a rotating wing that could be carried in an aircraft in a folded state and would deploy automatically when used in an emergency. Other wartime work was concentrated on the development of a Rotabuggy, basically a 'jeep'-type general-purpose military truck with an easily attached/detached rotary wing that would allow such vehicles to be towed and deployed behind enemy lines. A prototype was flown extensively during 1943-44, but did not become operational. In the postwar years, Raoul Hafner's great experience of rotating wings proved valuable to the Bristol and est;and aircraft companies

The first trials connected with the development of the Rotabuggy consisted of loading a Jeep or, more formally, a Willys Truck 4x4 model MB, with concrete and dropping it from heights up to 2.35m to ascertain the amount of g that could be absorbed without incurring damage. It was found that 11g could safely be accepted, and a two-bladed rotor with a dimeter of 12.40m was the fitted, and a streamlined tail fairing, tailplane and twin fins (no rudders) were applied, together with a "hanging" control column, a rotor tachometer and glider navigational instruments.

The Rotabuggy was first towed along the runway at high speed behind a 4.5l supercharged Bentley, eventually attaining towed airborne speeds up to 105kph IAS, the Rotabuggy becoming airborne for the first time on 16 November 1943. These trials took place at Sherburn-in-Elmet, near Leeds, where, eventually, the Rotabuggy was towed into the air behind a Whitley. The initial test behind the Whitley allegedly left much to be desired, the "hanging" control column threshing about and the "pilot" having to exert all his strength to maintain control.

The initial problems were progressively ironed out, and the general handling and flying qualities of the Rotabuggy were eventually described officially as "highly satisfactory", but the availability of vechicle-carrying gliders rendered further development unnecessary.

The work of the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment at Ringway, Manchester, on the Rotachute from 1940 onwards led to the suggestion that the free-wheeling autogyro principles employed could also be applied to larger loads. The designer, Raoul Hafner, suggested the Rotabuggy, a Jeep (or "Blitz Buggy") with rotors, amd the Rotatank, a similarly modified Valentine tank. A development contract was placed with the M.L. Aviation Company at White Waltham in 1942, covered by specification 10/42. Preliminary tests involved loading a Jeep with concrete and dropping it from heights of up to 7 ft. 8 in. (2.35 m.), demonstrating that the standarg vehicle could survive undamaged from impacts of up to 11g. A 46 ft. 8 in. (12.4 m.) dia. two-blade rotor was then fitted., as well as a streamiled tail fairing with twin rudderless fins. Other additions were perspex door panels, a 'hanging' rotor control next to the steering wheel and a rotor tachometer and glider navigational instruments.

The Rotabuggy, camouflaged, carrying RAF roundels and a prototype "P", was tow tested behind a 4 litre supercharged Bentley, and achieved gliding speeds of up to 65 mph (105 km/h) IAS. The first flight was made on November 16, 1943. Later, some flights were made behind a Whitley bomber from Sherbourne-in-Elmet. One witness described how she watched a Whitley take off with a Jeep in tow, circle and land. The Jeep, still in tow, did not touch down at the same time, and the witness realised that its occupants "were unhappy".

With the pilot holding the hanging control column and the driver clutching the steering wheel, the Jeep made a series of up and down movements, whilst the audience hoped it would stall on a 'down' rather than an 'up'. This it fortunately did, the driver taking over and driving flat-out after the Whitley, to which it remained attached. When it stopped, nobody got out for a while; the pilot was then assisted out and lay down beside the runway to recover. Apparently he was exhausted from trying to control the joystick, which had whipped in circles for the whole flight.

Apparently this flight was one of the worst, and the handling and flying qualities of the Rotabuggy were officially recorded as "highly satisfactory", especially when large tail fins had been fitted and greater rotor blade articulation provided. However, development of Horsa II and Hamilcar vehicle carrying gliders made further development of the idea unnecessary.

The Hafner Rotabuggy

[SAMWolf]

Thanks armymarinemom. I'll give Geocities my two cents worth.

[SAMWolf]

Two years may seem like a long time, but names are added to the monument only once a year. After awhile, the town agreed to include Queenie on the memorial.

Last month, the names were added to the memorial and Sims said every morning he walks by it and remembers.

Good Morning Samwise, what a heartwarming story for a Friday Morning. Thanks for sharing.

[SAMWolf]

Morning GailA. I've added Col Tony Lopez to my prayers.

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C. Thanks for the Windows schedule update.

Unseasonably warm this morning. Looks like an early Pineapple Express.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Mayor. They were still fun in Vietnam but the M-37 3/4 ton was my favorite.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning SCDogPapa

[HiJinx]

Oh, Ms. Snippy, do those pictures bring back memories!

One of the things we mounted in our jeeps was radio-jamming equipment.

Something it took a while to get used to...was driving your jeep and sitting on top of the gas tank...with an electric gas pump. Lots of guys were worried about mixing electricity and gasoline under your...ummm...third point of conatact, but(t) we never really had any problems...thank goodness!

[SAMWolf]

Thank you Snippy.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning HiJinx, glad I could conjure up some good memories. ;)

[SAMWolf]

1483 Pope Sixtus IV launched the Spanish Inquisition, placing it under joint direction of the Church and state. Tomas de Torquemada, 63, was appointed Grand Inquisitor in charge of removing Jews and Muslims from Spain.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Mash the pic.

[SAMWolf]

The bizarre and mystical Jeep arrived in Segar's strip on March 20th, 1936. Jeeps are animals which exist in the third and fourth dimension simultaneously, giving them abilities beyond the comprehension of mortal men. Eugene can walk through walls, teleport, and tell the future (he can't speak, so it has to be a yes/no question). Unfortunely, Jeeps need to eat orchids to survive, and they're so darn expensive...

LOL I love the Jeep Grill signature.

[SAMWolf]

Good morning feather.

[SAMWolf]

Hi Manna!

[stainlessbanner]

I had a sweet YJ on 36" swampers and did backcountry trails - lot of fun. I loved my ride - leaks, creaks, fumes, and all! I learned the real meaning of JEEP -
Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

My next project will be an MJ, CJ, or flat-fender. I was tempted by a Willy's panel wagon, but I'm holding out for a sweet jeeper.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Darkshear. The HMMWV was fun but, it has an "choke choke" Automatic trans mission!!!!!!!! It has also replaced the Jeep, the M-37 3/4 ton and for the most part the 2 1/2 ton truck.

[SAMWolf]

HI Ken5050.

Ah yes the famous "Jeepneys".

[SAMWolf]

LOL! I always thought the words were interchangable.

[ken5050]

ah..so that's my problem...