Mike Smith Aircraft Inc. Prototypes and Projects

[hesham]

Hi,


the Mike Smith Aircraft Inc. was formed during the late of 1970s,he designed
a 6-seat light cabin aircraft called at first Lightning Model-400,later re-named
as Prop-Jet XP-99,from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-1985 and Aerofiles
here is all details.


http://www.aerofiles.com/_sk.html

 

[walter]

Hi Hesham
I think that the XP-99 Prop-Jet had not really any connectionship with the Model 400. The XP-99 had a conventional layout and was built with a composite fuselage (pressurized) and that was mated to the metal wings and undercarriage of a Beechcraft Baron 58P. When first revealed. the XP-99 (named Prop-Jet) had low set horizontal tail planes and wings and landing gear of a Bonanza. I understand that it was not flown in that form, but the aircraft was then fitted with a high set tailplane, wings and u/c of a Baron 58P and first flew on 29 July 1982. On photos I have seen the registration N3191K, but the aircraft possibly also flew as N1VX (?). Engine was reported as either a P&WC PT6A-41 or -42 derated from 850hp to 500hp.

 

[hesham]

Thank you my dear Walter.

 

[Stargazer]

Let's have this topic renamed as "Mike Smith projects" then, shall we? ;-)

 

[Jemiba]

Agreed

 

[trousl]

I have a bunch of photos of both the Interceptor and Prop jet being built.

 

[trousl]

Prop Jet under construction

 

[trousl]

Model 400 mock up @ KJHN

 

[hesham]

Amazing pictures,Thank you Trousl;

but did they complete ?.

 

[trousl]

Amazing pictures,Thank you Trousl;

but did they complete ?.

Prop Jet did and was debuted in Oshkosh ‘82. It just recently was put in the Liberal Kansas Air Museum. The Interceptor did make 2 flights before the PT-6 had an issue and landed short of the runway by about 1500’ and at that point was shelved. As far as the model 400 it never made it past his mock up stage as basically the investors milked the money out. At that point is when Mike Smith (Father) sold the Bell P-63 Kingcobra to find the Smith Prop-Jet.