Martin Aircraft Ground Handling Vehicle

[Triton]

Model of Martin aircraft ground handling vehicle concept circa 1963.

From the news clipping glued to the back of the photo cards:

UPI August 7, 1963

Washington, DC: New Concept for aircraft ground handling--moving the plane by carrying it--is shown in model form as proposed by Roy F Gibbens of Martin Company's Orlando Division at the International Conference of Aerospace Support here. The aircraft taxis on and off the carrier under its own power. The carrier vehicle could carry a loaded jet at 20 miles per hour or more. Annual savings per aircraft in fuel now used in taxiing would be more than enough to pay for the carrier, Gibbens estimates.

Source:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CONCEPT-OF-AIRCRAFT-GROUND-HANDLING-MOVI-PHOTO-1963_W0QQitemZ380196651868QQihZ025QQcategoryZ419QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7611417274796956398

 

[ouroboros]

Slightly off topic, but IAI has been working on a semi-automated ground tractor tug that can take pilot cues via the nosewheel. Slightly more universal since it isn't restricted to aircraft with only two main gear bogies and disengages from the front.


http://www.ricardo.com/en-gb/News--Media/Press-releases/News-releases1/2009/Ricardo-engineered-vehicle-concept-aims-to-reduce-aircraft-fuel-costs-CO2-emissions--and-noise/