SNJ on water skiis

[Bill Walker]

In a 1958 USN Seaplane Flight Test Manual (I have a partial copy but not the document number) there is a list of USN hydrofoil test programs, probably all post war. I'm familiar with everything on the list except this one:

"d. SNJ twin skis (with and without flotation gas)"

Does anyone have any further information or photos?

 

[Stargazer]

Does anyone have any further information or photos?

This photo shows a Texan on skis, but is it the same?

 

[Bill Walker]

Thanks Skyblazer, but I'm not sure that is an SNJ. Those look very similar to snow skiis developed by Noorduyn in Canada for the RCAF Harvards. I expect the SNJ project may have been a water ditching aid.

 

[joncarrfarrelly]

From Flight:

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1952/1952%20-%203458.PDF

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1952/1952%20-%203459.PDF

 

[Bill Walker]

Thank you jcf!

 

[Jos Heyman]

I don't know if it is subject to copyright by Flight, but here is the pic from the 1952 Flight article. Not crash hot, but interesting.

 

[Jemiba]

Does such an aircraft really need water skis at all ?? ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYqa6DFkVzQ

But back to seriousness, is there any reason for those test mentioned ? Maybe something
like this project ? http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,9793.msg90421.html#msg90421

 

[Bill Walker]

My understanding of the SNJ program is that is was intended for two purposes: collect basic information of surface skimming hydrofoils at low cost and technical risk; and to evaluate the feasibility of operating such an aircraft from a beach, without a buoyant hull. The theory was that you accelerated/decelerated on the beach, only being on the water if you were going fast enough to produce the required hydrodynamic lift. As this video shows, the theory has only limited application today, with some obvious drawbacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdZ3cSuLosw