Curtiss-Wright GEM Model 2500 Air-Car

[seruriermarshal]

Curtiss-Wright GEM Model 2500 Air-Car

 

[Stargazer]

More pics of the Model 2500...

 

[Stargazer]

More pics of that crazy contraption, including some of it today at the U.S. Army's museum:

 

[Stargazer]

More stuff, this time showing Curtiss-Wright's other Air-Car designs/developments (you shouldn't have started me off on this one — you asked for it! LOL):

• The prototype Air-Car, also known as the "Hippo", a four-place Ground Effects Machine (GEM) powered by an 85-hp Continental engine. It could lift six to 12 inches off the ground at speeds up to 35 mph. Two of these machines were bought “off-the-shelf” for research.
• The 1959 single-seat Air-Car with glazed cockpit (possibly the one described as an "off-highway vehicle")
• The 1959 commercial four-seat Air-Car
• The 1959 utility Air-Car (possibly for the military)
• The 1960 planned production version of the Model 2500
• The 1960 two-passenger Bee
  

 

[memaerobilia]

Here are some of the Original concept art paintings for other Curtiss Wright Air cars, from my Original Curtiss Wright archive collection. The color ones are dated 6-1-59. Interesting to see "The Woodridge" (which is the name of the New Jersey town that the Curtiss Wright Factory complex was in) with large fins, so popular in that Era, as well as the concept for a "Pick-up" version. The color paintings are fairly large on artist board, I have numerous sharp and clear CW original 8 x 10 photos of the Black & white studies.

 

[Stargazer]

Wow, Joe... these are PRICELESS! First time I've seen them (and possibly the first time they ever get shown too!). Thank you so much.

 

[seruriermarshal]

thanks guys ;D

 

[Grey Havoc]

Wow, Joe... these are PRICELESS! First time I've seen them (and possibly the first time they ever get shown too!). Thank you so much.

I second that!

 

[bigvlada]

Fallout series anyone? These concepts would fit nicely there.

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/410494.pdf

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/434300.pdf

 

[hesham]

Hi,


here is the Air-Car from Flying magazine,page 26;


http://books.google.com.eg/books?id=G1ujXqwsDcUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=flying+magazine+1959&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xOAOVK67M8iBywOdyIKwBQ&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=flying%20magazine%201959&f=false

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroFuturism/comments/gq6a35

 

[uk 75]

Another of this era's optimistic designs

1959 Ford Levacar Mach I - Concepts

Ford Levаcar Mach I (Ford Levicar Mach I)

www.carstyling.ru

The designers clearly hoped that ground effect would be without downblast..Levitation was hinted at and of course in science fiction becomes the means for ground cars to float around. Sadly we are still stuck with the good ole wheel.

 

[royabulgaf]

Got a question about the ground effect machines. How do these things work up and down hill?

 

[Grey Havoc]

In theory at least, they were supposed to be able to follow the contours of most terrain with little or no difficulty.

On another note:

When Cars Flew — Curbside Car Show Calendar

Hearken back to a time when automakers threatened to doom the tire industry to the history books.

www.curbside.tv

View: https://youtu.be/VY0g0W7DEYQ

 

[Dew]

Some of my old pics..

https://flic.kr/p/fZuMn

https://flic.kr/p/fZtYP

https://flic.kr/p/fZtWD