An early 1970’s photo of a “mockup” of the Rockwell B-1 bomber. Rather than building an expensive plywood mockup that accurately recreated the complex curves of the B-1, this one was vastly simpler… a “side view” diagram of the B-1 with a few interior details, with a “shadow” on the floor. If you look carefully, it looks like this photo has been censored… the bays fore and aft of the main landing gear have been blacked out. Presumably these showed the payload of SRAMs and/or cruise missiles. One engine and the wing pivot system are included as actual 3-D items, probably mockups. Note that this is not the final B-1 design as built… the nose contours are a bit off.
One of an extremely large large number of designs put forward for Weapons System 324A, Tactical Fighter X, which eventually became the F-111. This particular design, circa 1962, is the WADD 46 from the Wright Air Development Center and is pretty typical… a twin engine supersonic design with sizable variable-sweep wings.
Two full-rez pages from the WS324A Characteristics Summary have been posted to the 2016-02 APR Extras Dropbox folder for all $4 and up APR Patreon patrons.
I’ve babbled about this a time or two in the past, but the specifics keep changing. But I think I’m zeroing in on the final form. The diagram below is meant for 24 X 36; the diagrams are at 1/72 scale. The final print will be black ink on white translucent mylar.
As shown here, it’s still a ways away from being complete; much more data to add, some refinements and additions to the diagrams, perhaps some artistic flourishes (though since I’m apparently devoid of any actual artistic talent, that sort of thing will be kept to an engineering minimum).
There will be only a limited number of these printed up, based on interest expressed in advance. The price is yet to be determined, but $50 is a very high upper limit. That comes from the price of something vaguely similar… the 24X36-on-white-mylar blueprints of the Nostromo from “Alien” and the Sulaco from “Aliens” that used to be available here:
Those two I got a few years ago, but only recently got around to framing (cheapo poster frames, but frames nonetheless). They look *spectacular.* And as they are substantially more spectacular than the X-20/Titan IIIc, my diagrams shouldn’t be priced at the same level.
If anyone has suggestions, I’d be interested.
Just brought Raedthinn home from the vet. He is, it seems, All Better… but that came at a substantial cost. In fact, two days at the vet cost more than a months work on USFP01 and USVP01 brought in. Behold:
So… time for another sale. For the next day or two or three, I’m running another Downloadable Stuff Sale. This applies to all APR’s and articles, USxPs, Air & Space Drawings & Documents, ANED01. As per usual… make your purchase using the Paypal buttons, and I’ll refund the sales difference.
Up to $50: 10% off
From $50.01 to $75: 15% off
More than $75: 20% off
UPDATE: Sale has ended as of 2/24/2016
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And as always, feel free to toss something into the Tip Jar if’n yer of a mind to:
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Here we see a Mil 8 “Hip” transport chopper mercilessly beating the air into submission.
Can’t seem to embed the video, so, click the link…
https://www.facebook.com/HelicopterEnthusiasts/videos/1030058237017153/
How does a Marine drive his tank around on ice? Like a boss, that’s how.
I’m not so sure that “desert tan” is the best camo for these conditions… but function before fashion, I suppose. Looks like those treads are put under some serious strain.
The USMC forces shown here are in Norway for some joint training exercises.
They will surely sell out fast:
North Korea Is Hosting Its First Air Show
Coming this September 21-28, complete with beer festival. Best line:
Only 636 spaces for international visitors are available, and North Korean citizens are not allowed in.
No word on whether it’ll feature a volcano-nuking.
Jeb Bush has suspended his campaign. It’s kind of amazing how amazingly poorly he’s done; a year ago he was seen as if not inevitable, then at least highly likely. And yet he never got *anywhere.*
And since Bernie got burned in Nevada, chances are pretty good that Hillary’s coronation as nominee is back on. Which means that chances are *really* good that this will be our President in a year:
Gah. What a choice.