The unique needs of military transportation have driven the development of many of the vehicles and systems
that we still use today. From our early adoption of new technologies like the airplane and helicopter, to
the support of the concept and creation of a U.S. interstate road system or containerized cargo, the U.S.
Army is a leader in technological development. The U.S. Army Transportation Museum holds the finest examples
of the Army’s experimental vehicles. From space-aged flying cars and jets packs to more practical
experiments such as determining if and how helicopter could operate in the Antarctic, the museum holds many
of these one of a kind historic vehicles.
The HZ-1 Aerocycle was tested at Fort Eustis in 1956 and the only remaining one of the 12
ordered by the Army is on display at the U.S. Transportation Museum.
The Army Transportation Research Command purchased two Curtiss-Wright Model 2500 Air Cars in
1960 and tested them for two years. The only remaining Army Air Car – GEM-X2 is on display at
U.S. Transportation Museum.
Combat Readiness Demonstration of the Rocket Belt at McKellar’s Pond on Ft. Bragg, NC in 1961.
The Rocket belt is being launched from a LARC XV 3X in preparation for a demonstration to
President Kennedy. The original Army rocket belt is on display at the U.S. Transportation
Museum.
The crew of the 1st Helicopter to land at the Geographic South Pole. The only UH-1 remaining
from this mission is on display at the U.S. Transportation Museum.
Cargo Container Study 1958 Report Cover
The cover of the U.S. Army Transportation Research and Engineering Command Report studying the
optimize size for reusable containers from December 1958. The full report can be found in the
U.S. Army Transportation Museum Research Collection.