Pentecost E-III Hoppicopter - Pima ASM, Tucson, AZ
Posted by: 
kb7ywl
N 32° 08.375 W 110° 51.951
12S E 512651 N 3555915
Pentecost E-III Hoppicopter s/n none r/n none
Waymark Code: WMDZJ0
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2012
Views: 6
The Hoppicopter is a part of the long quest for a truly low-cost personal flying machine. It was designed by Horace Pentecost of Seattle, WA, during World War II. He marketed it to the US military as a replacement for the parachutes used by paratroops. The design consists of a small 20 horsepower motor powering two counter-rotating sets of rotor blades, strapped to the back of the pilot. The greatest weakness of the design was its use of the pilot's legs as landing gear. If he stumbled during landing or take-off the blades would quickly turn into thousands of potentially lethal splinters as they pounded themselves to bits on the ground. This was, quite correctly, seen as ridiculously hazardous and the idea was quickly abandoned.
The Hoppicopter was designed by Horace Pentecost of Seattle, Washington during World War II as a replacement for paratroopers' parachutes. Twin co-axial rotors were powered by a 20 hp engine.
A few test hops were made; however, relying on the pilots feet for landing gear was inherently dangerous. If the pilot stumbled on landing, the rotating rotors would quickly turn into thousands of lethal splinters.
An improved version was developed with landing gear.
Source: (http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=220)
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Pentecost E-III Hoppicopter
Tail Number: (S/N): s/n unknown
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Located in hangar 1N at Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
inside / outside: inside
Other Information::
Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E Valencia Rd
Tucson, Arizona 85756
Phone 520-574-0462
Open 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Daily
Last admittance at 4:00 PM
$15.50-Adults
$12.50-Pima Co Residents
$12.75-Seniors
$ 9.00-Children
FREE---Children 6 & under
$ 7.00-AMARG
$13.50-Group Rate
Access restrictions:
None
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.