McDonnell Douglas suspended maneuvering system

[AeroFranz]

Weird flying platform, even stranger than the Hiller ones.

 

[Stargazer]

Hmmm... except this one is tethered and meant to remain so, from what I understand.

 

[Rickshaw]

Wasn't that intended to be used underneath a Chinook to rescue people from very tall buildings such as the WTC?

 

[AeroFranz]

Stephane, you're right. I think the engine provides air for maneuvering, not for lift. I knew i was missing something.

 

[aim9xray]

Like so:


(c) me

 

[Stargazer]

Any date/year for the magazine clipping in the first post, AeroFranz?

 

[AeroFranz]

will look for it. I have been delaying organizing and scanning the clippings for a while now. But have no fear, I'll post the date as I come across the clipping.

 

[Stargazer]

More about the McDonnell SMS "flying fire engine":

 

[Stargazer]

And the Popular Mechanics article from 1979, with its cover restored:

 

[The Artist]

But the idea goes back to the early years of the 20th Century in a drawing by Harry Grant Dart (1869 - 1938).

These are low-rez scans to comply with posting requirements as this is from a new (2002) printing of the drawing - Black & White Images: First Annual Collection published by Jim Vadeboncoeur.

 

[Mark Nankivil]

Greetings All -

A couple of recent acquisitions...

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[Stargazer]

Beautiful pics, Mark!!

Thanks a lot for sharing.

 

[Stargazer]

Great picture posted on Ron Downey's Aviation Archives blog:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ptIiNI2nQIw/Ur97sKzowXI/AAAAAAAAB7k/xZ2YvXs3j60/s1600-h/sms%25255B2%25255D.jpg