May 22, 2008
From the archives of cool spy stuff
At first glance, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about this 1950s-era seaplane. However, it looked considerably different when it was ready to be airdropped to a CIA agent trying to make his getaway.
That's right, it was inflatable, thanks to the engineering boffins at Goodyear.
According to the folks at Gizmodo:
One version was apparently inflated by adding water to special pellets which produced gas. Another version says the engine itself, sans prop, pumped the plane up. Either way, it quickly became airworthy and, as a raft as well, could use a body of water as a takeoff strip.
One of the agents involved told the Spycraft authors that it was a viable invention: "We tested it and it worked out pretty good."
I'd feel a bit more secure in an aircraft that didn't deflate when punctured by, hmmm, bullets. Still, pretty nifty.
Posted by Mike Lief at May 22, 2008 12:10 AM
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Comments
What was that James Bond movie where Q delivers a "some assesmbly required" mini-copter with missiles and machines guns?
Posted by: sonarman at May 22, 2008 04:47 PM