AirUtility Cargo Company AU18-150

[ermeio]

I've found this one today: the AirUtility Cargo Company AU18-150.

Built in Sacramento, California, by the Air Utility Cargo Company with two 75hp Continental engines.
Originally built in 1945 but modified by the time this photo was taken in February 1955.

 

[ermeio]

additional information:

 

[riggerrob]

That AU-18-150 looks like a minature version of the Fairchild XC-120 Packplane. Fairchild only built one prototype.

During the 1960s, Sikorsky sold a similar-concept Skycrane helicopter with a variety of cargo pods. Skycranes were primarily used to hoist heavy loads (e.g. artillery guns). Nowadays, a few Skycranes carry quick-attach water tanks when fighting forest fires.

With only 75 horsepower per side, the AU-18-150 would be seriously under-powered. It would struggle to maintain altitude on a single engine.

 

[Scapaflow]

AirUtility Cargo Company​

• Thread starterMark Nankivil
• Start dateApr 30, 2013