Originally Posted by
JohnDixson
This is dated, but may be of interest to both the long line pilots and the H-2/H-3/H-60 dipping community.
In the late 60's early 70's the DOD folks came up with a requirement to be able to keep an H-3 in a hover at 10,000 ft for extended periods. Hence the design included a 10,000 ft long flexible refueling hose. So the idea was to lift off, haul the hose to 10,000', engage the " Hover " coupler in the AFCS, and sit there for 8-10 hrs, all the while taking on fuel from below as needed. It didn't stop with the concept. The hardware was built and flight tested, as I recall, at the Augusta Ga Airport. Pilot was Kurt Cannon. You all can imagine the challenges. I do not recall why it did not go forward, but can think of a good number of reasons.
This seems to make no sense to me.
This hose that is 10000ft long. This will surely weigh once full at least 1Kg per foot if it is to carry enough fuel to feed an H3.
An H3 can surely only lift 6000Kg ish?
Was it an extraordinarily thin hose at amazing pressure?