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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 2321.PDF
Air-Cushion Vehicles FLIGHT International supplement, 21 November 1963 Dobson Air Dart "America's New Space Age Sport is Here! Imagine travelling without wheels! A 'Magic Cushion of Air' lifts you off the ground. Hover in space . . . inches above the Earth! Fly like an airplane! Zoom 'On Air' in any direction! Easy, instant controlling by leaning, stick or rudder. Learn in minutes—Fly for Hours." So reads the promotional material for the Dobson Air Dart air-cushion vehicle being marketed by Aircars Inc, Suite 204, 2518 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles 28. "Fly over land, fields, kart tracks, grass, swamps, beaches, water, snow, etc. Easy aircraft operation and low altitude flight makes this a SAFE, exciting sport. New fun for all the family!", the promoters continue, add ing, "Be a qualified air car pilot in minutes." The craft is being offered in kit form for $495 F.O.B. Los Angeles, and plans are sold at $3 a set ("complete parts list shows how to build your own air car"). The West Bend 820L Karting type engine of 8-10 h.p. is listed at $114, flotation bumper kit (polethylene foam, non-collapsible) at $39.95, and the complete constructional kit, including engine and bumper kit, at $648.95. The engine is installed in the nose and the seven-bladed glass fibre fan is chain- driven. Our contemporary Mechanix Illustrated reports: "The 951b car is controlled by an aircraft-type steering wheel and rubber pedals. The wheel is connected to side and rear vents that spill out blasts of air and push or guide the craft. Right and left guiding is done by turning the wheel, and forward or backward motion is accomplished by pushing or pulling on the wheel. The Air Darts above two elements, in two versions, and with two kinds of driver pedals operate the big rudder at the tail of the craft and are used for guiding it at speed. The Aircar is not intended for use on public thoroughfares." In a recent letter Mr Franklin A. Dobson states that the 9in height quoted in our September issue takes account of a 6in flexible skirt, which is an optional fitment. "The clear oper ating height of this little machine," says Mr Dobson, "is from 3-5in, depending on loading." Arrow Propeller fan see first news item at right) INDUSTRY ARROW PROPELLER FAN From the Arrow Propeller Co, of PO Box 361, Memphis 10, we learn that, because of the great amount of interest now being shown in small air-cushion vehicles, the company has developed a six-bladed wooden fan for use with small engines on "ground-effect mach ines and air-ducted vehicles." Prices range, according to diameter and hub thickness, from $40 to $55. TUBES FOR CRANWELL CRAFT We are informed by Accles & Pollock. Ltd, of Oldbury, Birmingham, that more than 350ft of tubing was provided by them for the framework of the AO built by a group of cadets at the Roys' Air Force College Cranwell (our issue of April last). The company supplier 120ft of tubing of lin outside diameter and 0.08in thick, and 250ft of tubing c Jin outside diameter and 0.036in thick. 72
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