| The Brodie System was invented during World War II. A pilot could take off or land with the aircraft hooked to a trolley that ran along a cable. On landing, the trolley provided braking for a smooth stop. The cable and trolley could be rigged on very short jungle fields, or even on ships.
1st picture: Piper L-4, engine running, is ready for take-off while suspended from its cable.
2nd: A light aircraft could take off or land on a ship using the cable.
3rd: This Stinson L-5B may have just landed by snagging a loop attached to a trolley riding on the cable.
4th: Riggers hooked this L-5B to the cable before take-off. Captain James H. Brodie, inventor, is on the left.
Can you imagine flying to catch a nylon loop when there were only four feet between the spinning prop and the hook?
Images from NASM Archives Division
SI #:83-16835-A;
SI #:NASM-9A01183;
SI #:WF-194076;
SI #:82-13226A
Back
to Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center building construction pictures |
