A proposal to the US Navy in 1951, the Ryan Model 38 was a design for a relatively small single-seat VTOL day fighter. The Model 38 eventually morphed into the X-13. Initially, the Model 38 could land ona flat deck on its tail; but the X-13 required a vertical surface with attachments the aircraft could hang off of.
In this early design, pitch and yaw control at low speed was provided by a vectorable main nozzle; roll control by unconventionalvectorable nozzles mounted in the middle of the wings. The nozzles had a limited range of motion, and could exhaust either above or below the wings. The exhaust would then impinge upon the main control surfaces for added control authority. This design feature did not last long, however.
10 Responses to “Ryan Model 38 Tailsitter”
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It looks like a subscale Avro Vulcan.
I don’t know if it would have worked right, but if it did, it would certainly have been the most conventional looking VTOL aircraft of all time.
Although they don’t show it in the illustration, I assume there’s some sort of a ventral tail fin that has the fourth landing leg on it?
Yes, there’s a ventral tail pretty similar to the dorsal.
I’d still like to make a model of the Sukhoi “Shkval” Soviet VTOL concept, which looks like a pretty simple conversion of a MiG-25 “Foxbat”:
http://www.be-and-co.com/ako_pdf/ako020340.pdf
It looks like something straight out of “Thunderbirds”.
A very amusing translation of that pdf, where we see the “itch” hand of interesting work of the hot young engineers in full action, despite the danger of hitting the dirt face:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vtol.boom.ru%2Frus%2Fshkval%2Findex.html&hl=ar&ie=UTF-8&sl=ru&tl=en
Scott,could you put the things that Pat is trying to convey on the last two comments on your blog…I am myself having trouble trying to download the stuff….sounds stupid maybe but….In other words put them on your blog since I am having so much trouble.
I can copy and paste it; it’s quite something to read:
“Alumni MAI 1959/60 year came in the KB during the difficult period in the development of aviation.
At that time, Khrushchev made a bet on the development of missile technology and the curtailment of aviation.
… Every young professional, having defended his thesis project he designed an aircraft engine, or imagines himself to five minutes to chief designer.
“At that time we were so, – said Igor Emelianov – in our seething energy of the creation of a supernova in the air, an irresistible urge to design something of his, and then a lull.
Layout rotating cabin
In order to take the “itch” hand of interesting work, a talented young engineer Rolland Martiroson, who later became chief designer and head of the new theme, organized by the initiative group to develop and design a radically new aircraft. The group included Alexander Blinov, LI, Andrianov, V. P Babak, VP Sopin and others, only ten people.
Factory management has recognized the work of the initiative group up to date, reorganized it in a public design office: all the work was done during off hours.
Developed by the aircraft was a plane taking off vertically from the X-shaped wing and located in front horizontal tail surfaces.
The ends of the swept wings were placed fairing with fuel tanks and landing shocks.
To stabilize the aircraft during landing and the decline of developed jet rudder control system, interconnected with the system automagically Management (SAM) and associated with a navigation system for ease of control of the aircraft in an upright position seat pilot executed a turning point, young designers are the first to offer side control knobs.
Scheme off the plane with the tail “- an attempt to implement the idea of vertical take-off without the use of heavier construction hoisting engines, which, moreover, has not yet been fully developed and tested.
In designing this aircraft was resolved a number of fundamentally new technical problems for more than 20 of them were recognized as inventions.
Most of these inventions were later introduced in the newly developed design and is now widely used in aviation parameters of other aircraft.
Only after the preliminary calculations and construction of models that have received positive feedback in purging held TsAGI, the group came to the PO Sukhoi to display the project and discuss opportunities to work in this area in KB.
Report before it made no sense, PO Sukhoi did not like idle talk, he demanded from his subordinates, brevity and accuracy of the report on any technical issue.
A young professionals even more ashamed to hit the dirt face – they were very afraid of this.
Paul Osipovich could always listen to people of all ranks.
For young professionals, he treated very sensitively, and understand that young people just starting their design life, and breaking it was not in its rules and character.
Of course, he knew more about their situation and the technical policy of the government, which took place at that time with respect to aviation. Оп Op said: “Development of a new aircraft in KB, funding for this area at this time is impossible, but I recommend you continue to work on a voluntary basis.”
Volunteer work can produce models and prototype models of assemblies and systems with no means impossible.
To solve the issue of funding youth projects in the Sukhoi came first secretary of the Komsomol Sergei Pavlov, invite a specialist as a consultant from OKB Ilyushin Henry Vasilievich Novozhilov, now chief designer.
Were then given the necessary tools and a task – to develop a conceptual design, to build a full-scale model of the aircraft, complete flushing models in TsAGI.
Having obtained the opinion of all the leading industry institutions to report the results of scientific and technical advice of the Ministry of Aviation Industry.
In the design process, they learned to work independently, solve difficult technical problems, take responsibility for the statement.
They had to apply to heads of enterprises and institutions, such as power-plant contact with chief designer SK Tumansky and agree with the new operating conditions.
All this was new, interesting and quite responsibly.
Built a full-scale mock turning cabin, the specifics of its design and equipment surrounded many of the leading test pilots, who gave positive reviews objective.
Appreciated it and test pilot, future astronaut George Shore, who found it “quite original and ready for operation, and distinguished test pilot Vladimir Ilyushin said:” Guys, this is just great! .. ”
Zhukovsky, other subcontractors. In full, on time prepared a draft project received positive conclusion of institutions and submitted to the Ministry.
In August 1963 successfully defended the project on scientific and technical council of the IAP. Hot young engineers boldly defended their proposals. But, unfortunately, many are not in the least.
Conducted while the government policy on aviation played a major role in their project.
Construction at the time of the proposed aircraft was considered unwise, but the project is cordoned off is very high.
All members of the public design office for a great and valuable work in the field of aviation, charter gave the Minister and the Central Committee of Komsomol.
“We were bitterly upset that our work has not found the real incarnation – said Igor Emelianov – but, considering that with hindsight, you know: otherwise it could not be.
Proceedings of the acquired experience were not lost for all participants in this work: RG Martirosov rose to chief designer, the head of a new theme, LI, Blinov, was awarded the State Prize, a major specialist in the field of aerodynamics and strength of aircraft, the Deputy General Design; VP Babak – State Prize of the USSR, the chief designer, project manager of the Su-25, IV Emelyanov – laureate of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, Honored Inventor of the RSFSR, the chief designer, the head of a new theme; VP Sopin – State Prize of the USSR AI Andrianov and other leading experts – leaders of the departments responsible in size.
In conclusion, should also be noted that around the same time on a similar scheme in Germany have been drafted FW-860 and Me-X1-21 , and 10 years later, the U.S. firm Grumman has also developed a project Natkreker “with swivel cab with a vertical takeoff and landing on his tail.”
Reading what can be understood in that, this was some project that young Sukhoi engineers came up with on their own, and although lots of people applauded their originality, they weren’t about to build it.
Like all of the tail-sitter concepts, takeoff would be easy, landing a whole other ball of wax.
I googled the “shkval” and got a picture courtesy of Fantastic-Plastic
but the second one I think as you know has text but no pictures.
[…] Another view of the early VTOL fighter design. […]
The French model company Sharkit makes a 1/72 scale kit of it:
http://www.sharkit.com/sharkit/Shkval1/Shkval1.htm