Inflatable Airplanes Were A Bad Idea

Maybe it wasn't as bad of an idea as you might think. In 1956, Goodyear combined their expertise in building inflatable airships and rubber tires, to develop an inflatable airplane. A plane small and light enough to pack up inside the family station wagon, that could be fully inflated and ready for flight in just five minutes. Earlier attempts at building inflatable aircraft had failed because inflated rubber was a poor material choice for aircraft, resulting in planes that were too slow, wobbly and structurally unstable to be of practical use. But Goodyear’s newly developed material called Airmat promised increased rigidity when inflated, while still being lightweight and flexible to be packed up inside a small container With Airmat, Goodyear was convinced that they could develop an inflatable airplane that could help save lives.

With research and writing assistance by Tomas Campos

Thanks for watching!

[MustardChannel]

I’m making a Q&A video for Nebula, ask me anything about Mustard, video production, or about me, etc. by replying to this comment!

[jerrymartin]

This sounds incredibly dangerous, yet never have I desired something so intensely.

[venstoma]

"They slowly let the air out of the program" lmao you got me there

[keilerbie]

>get shot down
>get rescue aircraft air-dropped
>get shot down again

[josegadon]

"THEY'RE COMING!!"

*"WELL THEN PUMP FASTER DAMMIT!!!"*

[termind]

The way the guy takes the fall and just walks it off at 1:15 is amazing. No way I could've walked it off that easy.

[drosera]

*That moment when you realize you forgot the air pump and you will have to inflate a working airplane by mouth*

[PS-nfxw]

I want this plane. I am that average Joe, and have waited long enough.

[alt]

When you said “puts the air in airplane, ” this is not what I was expecting.

[prasanth]

Everyone appreciate about quality of mustard's videos, but no one appreciate how good is his narration. His voice is one of reason for success of this channel.

[tamasmihaly]

I love how he jumps up from the crash like it's a success since he didn't die. 1:20

[Azeria]

Soviets: tried and failed
Brits: tried and failed

Yanks: fuck it we’ll give it a go anyway

[timothygeorge]

The only thing I like to see inflating is Mustard's popularity!

[CheeseTruffles]

Oh no we’re gonna craaaashhhh~~
*BOING*
Boeing: And that’s where we got the name

[venusiancreative]

I love McDaniel's testing method; just crash the glider into the ground with a pilot aboard. What could possibly go wrong?

[nis]

"So Goodyear let the air out of the program."
Thank you sir for preparing a bunch of inflatable jokes for us.

[Happy_Shopper]

Downed pilot: *inflating their getaway plane

Enemy soldiers in distance: we found the crash site!

Downed pilot: *inflation intensifies

[NatureXwars]

This actually looks like it could be a great recreational kit plane for the modern time!

[mylesspear]

4:51 “But taking on enemy fire to an inflatable plane would give a *hole* new idea to depressurization.” I can’t be the only one who thought of that right?

[HelamanGile]

When the safety of a plane is more important than the safety of getting a fighter pilot out of enemy territory