Aerocar

{{short description|Flying car}} {{for|other vehicles named Aerocar and Aero Car|Aerocar (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox aircraft |name=Aerocar |image = File:Aerocar 2024.jpg |caption=Taylor Aerocar III on display at the Museum of Flight |type=Roadable aircraft |manufacturer=Aerocar International |designer=Moulton Taylor |first_flight=1949 |introduction= |retired= |status= |primary_user= |more_users= |produced= |number_built=6 |unit cost= |developed_from= |variants= }}

Aerocar International's '''Aerocar''' (often called the '''Taylor Aerocar''') is an American roadable aircraft designed and built by Moulton Taylor in Longview, Washington in 1949. Although six examples were made, it never entered large-scale production. It is considered one of the first practical flying cars.

==Design and development== Taylor began designing a roadable aircraft in 1946. During a trip to Delaware, he met inventor Robert E. Fulton, Jr., who had designed an earlier roadable airplane, the Airphibian, with detachable wings. Taylor's prototype, the Aerocar, utilized folding wings that allowed the road vehicle to be converted into flight mode in five minutes by one person.<ref name=Glass>{{cite book |last1=Glass |first1=Andrew |title=Flying Cars A True Story |date=2015 |publisher=Clarion Books |isbn=978-0-618-98482-4}}</ref> When the rear license plate was flipped up, the operator could connect the propeller shaft and attach a pusher propeller. The same engine drove the front wheels through a three-speed manual transmission. When operated as an aircraft, the road transmission was left in neutral (though backing up during taxiing was possible by the using the reverse gear). On the road, the wings and tail unit were towed behind the vehicle. Taylor also put the propeller on the back of the car so it did not have to be removed when the Aerocar went on the road.<ref name=Glass /> Aerocars could drive up to 60 miles per hour<ref name="totc">Just years before his November 1995 death, Molt Taylor was selling plans for his latest version. {{cite web | last=Gilmore | first=Susan | title=Tired of the commute? All you need is $3.5 million | website=The Seattle Times | date=2006-11-03 | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003243681_aerocar05m.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103182711/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003243681_aerocar05m.html | archive-date=2006-11-03 | url-status=dead | access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> and had a top airspeed of 110 miles per hour.<ref>{{cite web |last=Blake|first=Bob| title=Rummage Box | website=aaca.org | date=2005 | url=http://www.aaca.org/publications/rummagebox/2005/spring/spring05c.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003043309/http://www.aaca.org/publications/rummagebox/2005/spring/spring05c.htm | archive-date=2006-10-03 | url-status=dead | access-date=2019-08-22}}.</ref> An early-1950s "Industry on Parade" film shows Taylor driving and piloting his Aerocar, as well as footage of manufacture.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvBDqrOx0wA | title=INDUSTRY ON PARADE DUPONT HASKELL LAB SCOVILL SPRINKLERS AEROCAR FLYING CAR 90254c | website=YouTube }}</ref>

==Testing and certification== The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) granted the Aerocar civil certification in 1956, and Taylor reached a deal with Ling-Temco-Vought for serial production provided he could obtain 500 orders. When he was able to obtain only half that number, production plans ended. Only six examples were built. One is still flying as of 2008, and Taylor rebuilt another into the only Aerocar III.

==Produced examples== There are four Aerocar Is, one Aerocar II, and one Aerocar I that was rebuilt as Aerocar III.

===''N4994P''=== [[File:Aerocar at EAA.jpg|thumb|Aerocar at the EAA AirVenture Museum]] ''N4994P'' (1949, originally ''N31214'') is yellow with silver wings. It was the very first Aerocar and is on display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.<ref name="totc"/><ref name="eavm">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum/museum-collection/aircraft-collection-folder/1949-taylor-aerocar---n4994p |title=1949 Taylor Aerocar - N4994P |accessdate=2025-10-24 |work=EAA Museum}}</ref> It is maintained in flying condition but is not flown.

===''N101D''=== thumb|1954 Taylor Aerocar Serial Number 3 registered as N101D ''N101D'' (1954) is owned by Greg Herrick's Yellowstone Aviation Inc.<ref name="totc"/><ref name="eavm"/><ref name="airport-data.com"/> It is maintained in flying condition and is on display at the Golden Wings Flying Museum located on the south west side of the Anoka County-Blaine Airport in Minneapolis. This aircraft is featured flying overhead on the cover on the book "A Drive In the Clouds" by Jake Schultz. In December 2011, N101D was being offered for sale at an asking price of USD 1.25 million.<ref>{{cite web | last=Marsh | first=Alton K. | title=1954 Aerocar offered for sale | website=aopa.org | date=2012-01-07 | url=http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2011/111214aerocar-offered-for-sale.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107235140/http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2011/111214aerocar-offered-for-sale.html | archive-date=2012-01-07 | url-status=unfit | access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref>

===''N102D''=== ''N102D'' (1960) is yellow and green. The last Aerocar built and the only one still flying, it is owned by Ed Sweeney and is on display at the Kissimmee Air Museum located at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida. N102D was the only Aerocar built with the larger O-360 Lycoming powerplant giving it much better performance. It is the only road legal and driven Aerocar left. It is currently flown by the owner's son Sean Sweeney. It was previously owned by actor Bob Cummings, who used it in his TV sitcom ''The New Bob Cummings Show''.<ref name="totc"/> It also appeared on the TV show ''James May's Big Ideas'' on BBC2, aired in September 2008. Inspired by this vehicle, Ed Sweeney began development of the Aerocar 2000.<ref>[http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N102D.html "Aircraft N102D Profile."] ''airport-data.com,'' August 12, 2008. Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref>

===''N103D''=== ''N103D'' (1956) has been repainted to red/black with red wings. It has been owned by Carl Felling and Marilyn Stine of Grand Junction, Colorado<ref name="npr">Simon, Scott. [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6172226 " Weekend Edition Saturday: Aerocar Goes Up for Auction."] ''NPR,'' September 30, 2006. Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref> since 1981.<ref name=":0">[http://www.aerocarforsale.com/history.htm "The Colorful History of Aerocar N103D."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521214039/http://www.aerocarforsale.com/history.htm |date=2022-05-21 }} ''Aerocarforsale.com .'' Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref> It once flew Fidel Castro's brother, Raúl Castro, in Cuba.<ref name="npr"/> The aircraft was damaged after landing on a rural road when a startled horse ran in front of the wing.<ref name="npr"/> A temporary fix was made using a flattened five-gallon can, and the aircraft made it to Boston without incident, for more comprehensive repairs <ref name=":0" />

From 1961 to 1963 the Aerocar was operated under contract between Star Stations (Don Burden) and Wik's Air Service, Inc. It was used as a traffic-watch (AIRWATCH) aircraft for KISN (910AM) radio station in Portland, Oregon where it was flown by "Scotty Wright" (Scotty Wright was the alias used by the acting pilot of the Aerocar during traffic-watch transmissions). Several pilots provided the AIRWATCH service beginning with World War II veteran pilot Guilford Wikander, President of Wik's Air Service, Inc. Guilford was followed in order by his sister Ruth Wikander, W. John Jacob, Wayne Nutsch<ref>{{cite web | title=Wayne Nutsch — Aviation Consultant | website=nutsch.com | date=2008-12-02 | url=http://www.nutsch.com/consult.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202140854/http://www.nutsch.com/consult.html | archive-date=2008-12-02 | url-status=dead | access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> and Alan Maris. Scotty Wright reports Nutsch having 350 flying hours in N103D performing AIRWATCH duty. Traffic reporting was from 7:00 AM–8:30 AM and 4:30 PM–6:00 PM. During the Aerocar's AIRWATCH missions, it was painted white with red hearts<ref>[http://www.aerocarforsale.com/images/Aerocar%201962%20KISN%20Air%20Watch%20plane-b.jpg "KISN Aerocar photograph."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327224353/http://aerocarforsale.com/images/Aerocar%201962%20KISN%20Air%20Watch%20plane-b.jpg |date=2016-03-27 }} ''aerocarforsale.com.'' Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref> and had the letters KISN on the top and bottom of the wings.<ref>[http://www.aerocarforsale.com/images/Aerocar%201962%20KISN%20Air%20Watch%20plane%20flying-a.jpg "1962 KISN Air Watch plane flying."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327225448/http://aerocarforsale.com/images/Aerocar%201962%20KISN%20Air%20Watch%20plane%20flying-a.jpg |date=2016-03-27 }} ''aerocarforsale.com.'' Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref>

The aircraft was equipped with an emergency police/fire receiver for use in reporting emergency events on KISN radio stations broadcast. When flown for KISN it was based at Wik's Air Service, Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro Oregon. On one of its more eventful flights for KISN it survived the Columbus Day Storm of 1962 without damage after its evening traffic reporting flight. W. John Jacob was piloting the aircraft at that particular time and should be credited with the successful landing during extreme wind conditions (perhaps more than 100 mph), but Ruth Wikander, who was in the aircraft to assist him, received the acclaim.<ref>Jacob, W. John</ref> Ruth Wikander was an active member of the 99's, the International Organization of Women Pilots. In 1962 Ruth Wikander drove the Aerocar as an automobile while trailering the wings in the annual Portland Rose Festival parade. The Aerocar was an integral part of KISN Radio<ref>Salesky, Dave. [http://stumptownblogger.typepad.com/stumptownblogger/2009/04/the-famous-kisn-aero-car.html "Stumptownblogger: The Famous Kisn Aero Car."] ''Stumptownblogger.typepad.com,'' April 14, 2009. Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref> along with photos of famous rock musicians and KISN DJs of the times.

Last flown in 1977, the aircraft is no longer airworthy and has been in storage ever since.<ref name="totc"/><ref name="eavm"/> It is currently listed for sale for the price of US$2.2 million.<ref name="totc"/>

===''N107D'' (Aerocar II)=== {{Main|Aerocar Aero-Plane}} ''N107D'' (1966) is an Aerocar Aero-Plane, or Aerocar II.<ref name="airport-data.com">[http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N107D.html "Aircraft N107D, 1966 Aerocar II C/N 1."] ''Airport-data.com,'' November 22, 2008. Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref> It is not a roadable aircraft but is based on the original Aerocar design. It uses the wing and tail section from the Aerocar. It seats four and is powered by a 150 hp IO-320 Lycoming engine. Only a single example was built. As of 2006, it was located in Colorado Springs, Colorado owned by Ed Sweeney, the owner of N102D.<ref name="totc"/>

===''N4345F'' (Aerocar III)=== The sixth Aerocar (''N4345F''), Moulton Taylor's final flying car effort, is red with silver wings. It began as one of the original Aerocars, which Taylor bought back from a customer when it was damaged in an accident on the ground in the 1960s. Taylor rebuilt it as the Aerocar III, replacing the original cabin with a sleeker, more streamlined front-wheel drive version (although it still "fell far short" of the sporty lines Taylor wanted to give it<span style="color:blue"><sup>[reference?]</sup></span>). The automotive unit weighs 1,100 lbs and is powered by a 140 hp Lycoming O-320. The trailer wheels for the wings in towed configuration are deployable from a compartment on the outside of each wing's leading edge. The propeller driveshaft contains fine ball bearings that swing outward with centrifugal force, creating stiffness and damping.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|title=Fly Now, Drive Later|author=Eric Jensen|date=November 1971}}</ref> The four retractable wheels are extended for takeoff and landing, partly retracted for road travel, and fully retracted in flight.<ref>Barrett, Eldon, United Press International, “Molt Taylor's Flying Auto,” ''The Sun-Telegram'', San Bernardino, California, Sunday 19 April 1970, Volume XXIV, Number 82, page A-11.</ref> Taylor attracted some interest from Ford in the Aerocar III, but no production resulted. The single prototype is displayed at Seattle's Museum of Flight with the registration ''N100D''.<ref>[http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/taylor-aerocar-iii "Taylor Aerocar III."] ''Museum of Flight.'' Retrieved: March 4, 2012.</ref>

==Specifications (Aerocar I)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62<ref name="JAWA61 p199">Taylor 1961, p. 199.</ref> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=Hartzell HA12 UF |prop dia m= |prop dia ft=6 |prop dia in=4

|avionics= }}

==References== ;Notes {{Reflist|30em}}

;Bibliography {{Refbegin}} * Schultz, Jake. ''A Drive in the Clouds: The Story of the Aerocar ''. New Brighton, Minnesota: Flying Books International, 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-9725249-2-6}}. * Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961. * Winchester, Jim. ''The World's Worst Aircraft: From Pioneering Failures to Multimillion Dollar Disasters''. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2005. {{ISBN|1-904687-34-2}}. {{Refend}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{YouTube|wfONF6YIpvs|Molt Taylor's Aerocar}} *[https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum/museum-collection/aircraft-collection-folder/1949-taylor-aerocar---n4994p EAA AirVenture Museum's Aerocar] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20061105015951/http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/PRPhotos/Aerocar.htm Text from ''Aviation Week'' 27 March 27, 1961.] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20061103182711/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003243681_aerocar05m.html Tired of the commute? All you need is $3.5 million- Aerocar for sale in September 2006] *[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6172226 "Aerocar Goes Up for Auction."] ''NPR'', September 30, 2006. *[http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/collection/AC-Pages/Aero%20Car.html N101D location] *[https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/collections/show/1061 Jake Schultz Aerocar Film Collection] at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections. *[https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/collections/show/1054 Roy A. Parsons Aerocar Film] at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections.

Category:Roadable aircraft Category:1940s United States civil utility aircraft Aerocar Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1949 Category:High-wing aircraft