Box art of Fantastic Plastic’s 1/144 Rocinante model has been released. The kit will be released soon, I gather. Sign up and get in on the list before the only ones that are available are on eBay…
May 302018
May 032018
Artwork was created for USBP 21 by Rob Parthoens depicting the Convair Submersible Nuclear Ramjet launching vertically from the ocean. This is approximately the craziest design for a manned aircraft I’ve seen from the post-war period.
Be sure to check out US Bomber Projects issue 21 to read more about this design.
Apr 292018
Artwork was created for USBP 21 by Rob Parthoens depicting the Convair Submersible Nuclear Ramjet paying a visit to 1970’s-era Moscow. If you think that this looks like Project Pluto, you’re not far off; this was also a Mach 4, treetop-level nuclear ramjet powered bomber. But there were a few minor differences. Notice that little bump above the nose? That’s the cockpit, a necessary addition because this design was manned. It was also designed to operate as a submarine, cruising the oceans of the world faster than 100 knots before launching upwards and taking flight. Because the 1950’s were rather more optimistic when it came to technological advancement.
Be sure to check out US Bomber Projects issue 21 to read more about this design.
Apr 262018
US Bomber Projects #21 and Spacecraft Projects #05 are now available.
US Bomber Projects #21
Cover art was provided by Rob Parthoens, www.baroba.be
US Bomber Projects #21 is now available (see HERE for the entire series). Issue #21 includes:
- Convair Submersible Nuclear Ramjet: a Mach 4 manned nuclear powered flying submarine
- Bell MX-776: an early post-war pilotless airplane
- Convair Manned Flyback Atlas: an unconventional recoverable ICBM
- DTNSRDC PAR-WIG Strategic Deterrent: a low-flying aircraft packing 4 Trident ballistic missiles
- Boeing Model 464-197: a supersonic B-52
- Martin Model 151-K: a pre-war twin-engined medium bomber
- Boeing Cruise Ballistic Missile: an entire aircraft packed into a silo, carrying an ICBM
- MC-747 Air Mobile System: a 1973 concept for carrying up to seven ICBMs in a modified cargo jet
USBP #21 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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US Spacecraft Projects #5
US Spacecraft Projects #05 is now available (see HERE for the entire series). Issue #05 includes:
- Project HORIZON Lunar Lander: a late 1950’s US Army concept for a manned Lunar lander
- Lockheed-Martin Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle: A very recent concept for a future manned Mars vehicle
- JPL Interstellar Precursor: a 970’s design for a space probe to interstellar space
- Lockheed Modular Rotating Space Station: a truly gigantic design circa 1970
- Lockheed Payload Carrier: an early 1960’s spaceplane for space station logistics
- Martin-Marietta Winged NIMF: a nuclear powered “hopper”
- Lockheed CL-414: a capsule for Man in Space Soonest
- NASA HAVOC: High Altitude Venus Operational Concept, a 2015 project for manned exploration of the atmosphere of Venus
USSP #05 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $5.25:
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The previous releases of US Aerospace Projects:
US VTOL Projects #2
- SOS Interceptor: A US Navy Mach 3 aircraft with jettisonable wings
- Lockheed GL-224-3: A small battlefield surveillance and ground attack plane
- Phalanx Dragon MP-18: An unconventional small civilian transport
- Lockheed L-161-1: An early concept for a variable geometry roadable helicopter
- GE Supersonic V/STOL: A supersonic strike fighter with flip-out lift fans
- Convair ANP-VTOL: A nuclear-powered ground-effect craft of the Navy of unusual configuration
- Piasecki 16H-3: A compound helicopter for high speed passenger transport
- Boeing Vertol Model 147: A tilt-wing close support fire support design for the US Army
USVP #2 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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US Research & Recon Projects #2
- Lockheed A-1: The first true design leading to the SR-71
- Bell MX-2147 Model 105: The high altitude “X-16”
- Boeing/CRC/AMROC X-34 Reference Configuration: A reusable launcher test vehicle
- Martin Model 159: A scout/observation float plane
- NASA-Langley Low-Boom Demonstrator: a recent design to demonstrate quiet SST tech
- McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 Super 80 Propfan Configuration 1: A fuel efficient transport demo
- Convair “HAZEL” MC-10: An inflatable Mach 3 plane for the Navy
- Republic Manned Hypersonic Reconnaissance Vehicle: an early scramjet concept
USRP #2 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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Feb 132018
Now available: two new US Aerospace Projects issues. Cover art was provided by Rob Parthoens, www.baroba.be
US VTOL Projects #2
US VTOL Projects #2 is now available (see HERE for the entire series). Issue #2 includes:
- SOS Interceptor: A US Navy Mach 3 aircraft with jettisonable wings
- Lockheed GL-224-3: A small battlefield surveillance and ground attack plane
- Phalanx Dragon MP-18: An unconventional small civilian transport
- Lockheed L-161-1: An early concept for a variable geometry roadable helicopter
- GE Supersonic V/STOL: A supersonic strike fighter with flip-out lift fans
- Convair ANP-VTOL: A nuclear-powered ground-effect craft of the Navy of unusual configuration
- Piasecki 16H-3: A compound helicopter for high speed passenger transport
- Boeing Vertol Model 147: A tilt-wing close support fire support design for the US Army
USVP #2 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4:
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US Research & Recon Projects #2
US Research & Recon Projects #2 is now available (see HERE for the entire series). Issue #2 includes:
- Lockheed A-1: The first true design leading to the SR-71
- Bell MX-2147 Model 105: The high altitude “X-16”
- Boeing/CRC/AMROC X-34 Reference Configuration: A reusable launcher test vehicle
- Martin Model 159: A scout/observation float plane
- NASA-Langley Low-Boom Demonstrator: a recent design to demonstrate quiet SST tech
- McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 Super 80 Propfan Configuration 1: A fuel efficient transport demo
- Convair “HAZEL” MC-10: An inflatable Mach 3 plane for the Navy
- Republic Manned Hypersonic Reconnaissance Vehicle: an early scramjet concept
USRP #2 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4:
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Feb 112018
Who wants some fiction? A tale of a cruise ship on the high seas when the world is attacked by Lovecraftian sea monsters, Champion of the Seas is, I think, pretty good. This is the second full yarn in the “War With The Deep Ones” book that I’ve released; the first being “Honolulu.” I also released a bit from the “interstitial tales” that will be wedged between the main stories.
To read a preview of the story and to order the whole thing in PDF & EPUB formats, click the “Continue Reading” below.
Dec 082017
Working on the next issue…
Oct 082017
Got them done a little early this time, so here’s a review of what the APR Patrons will be receiving:
Patrons will receive:
A proposal brochure on the C-135A cargo transport
A brochure about the Shuttle-C
A well illustrated NASA-produced booklet from the mid 1980’s describing the space station as them conceived
A large format diagram showing a wind tunnel model of the Titan III/Dyna Soar
A CAD diagram of the ca. 2001 Russian TsAGI Integrated Wing Body large passenger transport jetliner
If these are of interest, please consider signing on to the APR Patreon.
Oct 062017
I have a number of new aerospace cyanotype blueprints available. Until I can repave the catalog page, I have slapped together a PDF catalog of the new items. Until Wednesday, I’m making these new 12X18 prints, as well as the earlier 12X18 prints, available. The earlier 12X18s are viewable HERE. The new items are in the following PDF file:
If any are of interest, Paypal to the email address in the PDF file, and add a note in the order which items you want…. AND what your mailing address is (PayPal doesn’t automatically add the address to payments like this).
After Wednesday the prints will be again unavailable for a little bit while I retool and work on some things.
UPDATE: over for now. After some retooling I hope to have all the cyanotypes, small and large old and new, available for regular sale.
Sep 212017
Now available: two new US Aerospace Projects issues. Cover art was provided by Rob Parthoens, www.baroba.be
US Bomber Projects #20:XB-59 Special
US Bomber Projects #20 is now available (see HERE for the entire series). Issue #20 collects all the previously published articles and diagrams of the XB-59 antecedent designs and updates them. Additionally, more antecedent designs have been included as well as several designs that followed along after the XB-59. The biggest USXP publication yet!
USBP 20 includes twenty nine unique aircraft concepts (the usual issue of USXP has eight designs) from Boeing Models 484 and 701 showing how Boeing evolved the XB-59, their competitor to the Convair B-58 “Hustler.” Beginning with subsonic flying wings, the concept saw concepts both conventional and unconventional before eventually settling on Model 701-299-1, the final XB-59 design. This issue includes a half dozen Model 701 designs that followed along after the cancellation of the XB-59 program.
USBP #20 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $8:
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US Launch Vehicle Projects #04
US Launch Vehicle Projects #04 is now available (see HERE for the entire series). Issue #04 includes:
- Space Carrier Vehicle: A US Army lunar rocket with 8 F-1 engines
- Convair Reusable Helios: A stage-and-a-half monster with a gas core nuclear engine
- Boeing Model 896-111: A 1980’s two stage transatmospheric vehicle
- Project RAND Satellite Rocket 3-Stage: A 1947 satellite launcher
- Convair Saturn V-R: An idea on how to make a fully reusable Saturn V first stage
- Lockheed STAR Clipper: A 1968 stage-and-a-half lifting body Space Shuttle
- Shuttle-C: The Shuttle derived vehicle design that came closest to being built
- Titan III Growth/156-inch boosters: A more powerful version of the Titan III for Dyna Soar launch
USLP #04 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4:
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Also recommended, these previous Specials:
US Bomber Projects #14: System 464L Special
USBP#14 brings together the competitors to Weapon System 464L, the first major effort in the Dyna Soar program. These designs were previously shown individually in prior issues of USBP; here they are brought together, with some updates, as well as a few extra diagrams and a section of diagrams formatted for 11X17 printing. This issue includes info and diagrams of the Lockheed, Republic, General Dynamics, McDonnell, Boeing, Douglas, Northrop, North American and Martin-Bell entries as well as their various booster systems. Also included are detailed diagrams of the ultimate Dyna Soar design, the 2050E.
USBP#14 can be purchased for downloading for the low, low price of $6.
US Bomber Projects #16: The B-52 Evolution Special
Boeing Model 444 A: A late war turboprop heavy bomber
Boeing Model 461: An early postwar turboprop heavy bomber
Boeing Model 462: A large six-turboprop ancestor of the B-52
Boeing Model 462-5: A six-turboprop B-52 ancestor
Boeing Model 464-17: 1946 four-turboprop strategic bomber, a step toward the B-52
Boeing Model 464-18: a reduced-size version of the 464-17 turboprop strategic bomber
Boeing Model 464-25: a modification of the 464-17 turboprop bomber with slightly swept wings, among other changes
Boeing Model 464-27: a slightly-swept turboprop B-52 progenitor
Boeing Model 464-33-0: A turboprop B-52 predecessor
Boeing Model 464-34-3: A turboprop B-52 predecessor
Boeing Model 464-40: The first all-jet-powered design in the quest for the B-52
Boeing Model 464-40: The first all-jet-powered design in the quest for the B-52
Boeing Model 464-046: A six-engined B-52 predecessor
Boeing Model 464-49: The penultimate major design in the development of the B-52
Fairchild M-121:A highly unconventional canard-biplane
Convair B-60: A swept-wing turboprop-powered derivative of the B-36
Douglas Model 1211-J: An elegant turboprop alternative to the B-52
With additional diagrams of the B-47, XB-52 and B-52B
USBP#16 can be purchased for downloading for the low, low price of $6.
