Developed for a Department of Commerce competition to create an aerial "Model T," the innovative two-seat AC-35 Autogiro could takeoff and land in 52 m (173 ft) and reach street speeds of 40 kph (25 mph). The AC-35 initially suffered from stability problems, but further experimentation resulted in an aircraft that was safe and relatively easy to fly. This video shows Autogiro Company of America vice president and chief pilot James G. Raythe landing the AC-35 in downtown Washington, DC, converting it to roadable configuration, and driving it to the Department of Commerce in October of 1936. Only one Autogiro Company of America AC-35 was built, and it is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Learn more about this aircraft at: http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19500086000
Video Duration:
36 sec
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aviation air space national museum smithsonian airplane NASA Rocket Jet Discovery SR-71 Blackbird "Space Shuttle" History Science STEM astronaut
