The lighter than airaircraft was built in 1956, with the idea that it could be used by the military as a rescue plane to be dropped in a box behind enemy lines. Only 12 were built, but development continued until the project was canceled in 1973.
There were at least 2 versions:
The GA-468 was a single seater. It took about 5 minutes to inflate to about 25 lbf/inē (170 kPa); at full size it was 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m) long, with a 22 ft (6.7 m) wingspan. A pilot would then hand start the two-stroke cycle, 40 hp (30 kW) engine, and take off with a maximum load of 240 lb (109 kg). On 20 US gallons (76 L) of fuel, the aircraft could fly 390 miles (630 km), with an endurance of 6.5 hours. Maximum speed was 72 mph (116 km/h). Later, a 42 hp (31 kW) engine was used in the plane.
The GA-466 was the two seater version, 2 in (50 mm) shorter, but with a 6 ft (1.8 m) longer wingspan than the GA-468. A more powerful 60 hp (45 kW) McCulloch 4318 engine could power the 740 lb (336 kg) of plane and passenger to 70 mph (113 km/h), although the range of the plane was limited to 275 miles (440 km).
Goodyear's small hangar was moved from the east coast to WFL that same year for the L- and G-ship assembly.
Prompted, perhaps, by the loss of former Goodyear pilot LT Frank Trotter one of twelve who died in the G-1 and L-2 accident in June 1942 a memorial plaque was dedicated at WFL the next summer.
The Goodyear GA-22 Duck amphibian airplanes operated from the field and lake.The GA-33 Inflatoplane prototype began test flights in December 1955.The Army Inflatotplanes were test flown and their pilots trained at WFL.Gizmo, Goodyear's entry into the military one-man helicopter design competition was tested, modified, and retested.
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