Much to do on this model. The central “spine” looks to be too fat by a wide margin, and of course the nozzles are completely nonexistent so far. Still, it’s a start.
Sep 042009
Aug 312009
Fantastic Plastic has at long last released a kit of the “Enterprise Ringship” model that I mastered for them (see here and here and here for in-progress shots). See here for the official release page and ordering info.
It’ll make an impressive and unusual kit.
Aug 222009
On display at the NASM Udvar-Hazy facility.
Aug 122009
And here are the photos from 2009. Unlike the 2004 photos, these show the vehicle removed from it’s tilting display, and just sitting on its landing gear. Additionally, the contra-rotating props from within the shroud are gone.
And here’s your convenient scale reference:
Aug 102009
An old auction, long over:
Grumman Design 698 Type A VSTOL – solid stunning detail
<>Unique desktop model of the Grumman 698 VTOL. This model is very rare (less than 12 ever made) and was owned by the late Robert Kress. The model was made by Grumman in Grumman’s own model shop.
To promote the tilt-fan concept, a radio-controlled model was flown for many audiences of governmental and Industrial representatives. The demonstration team was known as the “Baron von Kress flying circus”.
This auction ended in June at $442.
Aug 092009
Up and runnign at last. Not the longest issue, with 113 pages… but the biggest in terms of filesize, at over 50 meg. LOTS of illustrations… detailed diagrams, artwork, mockup photos, etc.
http://www.up-ship.com/blog/eAPR/ev2n4.htm
Includes:
Bell BoMi part 3: with Convair RoBo, Super Hustler, Fish and Dyna Soar; Boeing RoBo concepts; Martin RoBo; Bell Dyna Soar CTV
Bell D188A Mach 2 VTOL fighter part 2: scads of diagrams and photos
Convair postwar seaplane bomber studies, by Robert Bradley
Ames Mach 10 demonstrator, by Dennis R. Jenkins
Convair Manned Reconnaissance Glide Vehicle
Boeing Model 767-730 nuclear-powered transport
Again, see here:
Aug 082009
Photos taken in 2004 at the Hiller Aerospace Museum of a full-scale mockup of the VXT-8 VTOL aircraft concept. This single-passenger vehicle was designed in the 1950’s as something of a high-speed, less-useless derivative of the Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee “flying platform.” Further details of the design are lacking, such as dimensions, weights, performance and intended role are lacking. Part 2 will present some information regarding the dimensions of the mockup.
In 2004 the full-scale mockup was on a stand that would slowly tilt it from horizontal to vertical and back again; in 2009 is was just sitting on the floor in the vertical position. Also, the props inside the shroud seem to have disappeared.
Aug 082009
Very, very early in the process.
Aug 042009
Airplane Lockheed Prototype Concept Desk Display Model
We offer for auction a rare one off prototype model made by Lockheed from around the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. This model is made from painted wood, it has a 22″ wingspan & is approx. 16″ long. The propeller nose cones are aluminum & it has a wooden base with a slightly rusted steel support stem. There is a bronze plaque on the base that reads ” GL 136 B-1 Assault Transport Lockheed Aircraft Corp. Georgia Division Marietta Georgia” I think this was a proposal & never built, I cannot find any information about this aircraft. The model comes in it’s original wooden carrying case. The model when we found it was dirty, it also had some surface paint cracks were the tip tanks were mounted to the wings & some other areas. The markings which seemed to be hand painted were smudged in a couple of spots & a number of the prop blades were detached. We gave this model to a master model maker that made similar model for the airlines & the military. He cleaned it up & touched up the areas needing work. This was not a major job & it is almost impossible to see any restoration. This is a beautiful professional design model & one of a kind model. The wooden carrying case measures approx. 28″ x 20″ x 12″ & is quite heavy.
Less than a day left as of this writing.
Aug 032009
Apollo 1960’S Space Ship Desk Model General Dynamics
FROM AN OLD TEXAS ESTATE, UP FOR AUCTION: back in the mid- 70’S, I purchased this hand built scratch model of a lunar takeoff vehicle by General Dynamics Corp, made sometime circa mid 1960s. Created for the department heads and certain persons directly involved with this particular aspect of this particular space program. AS FAR AS I KNOW, Not ever offered for public or private sale, THE ITEM IS MADE OF Wood , aluminum AND SOME OTHER HARDEN PLASTIC TYPE MATERIAL (NOT SURE), this is not your standard plastic desk model. Approx. H: 16.5″ . The approx. dia: 5 1/2″, THE BASE PLATE IS APPROX. 6 1/2 WIDE. There is some normal wear and AGEING as shown, BUT OVERALL THIS IS A GREAT MODEL, and one not seen very often on the open market . It is indeed a rare item , THE BASE comes apart and each part will be wrapped seperate and shipped to the winner.( PLEASE SEE PICTURES ). The item is being listing with no reserve.
I WAS IN THE U.S. A.F. DURING THE TIME PERIOD THE MOON LANDING PROJECTS MERCURY, GEMINI AND APOLLO WERE TAKING PLACE, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT ASSIGNED TO THE PROGRAMS I WAS FROM TIME TO TIME IN DIRECT SUPPORT FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.. I HAD GREAT INTEREST AND WAS PROUD OF AMERICANS NEW MISSION OF GOING TO THE MOON AND BACK WITH LIVE PEOPLE. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS I HAVE COLLECTED A FEW ITEMS FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. I HAVE VERY LITTLE DIRECT INFORMATION ON THIS SPACE SHIP MODEL EXCEPT FROM THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A SMALL LABEL ATTACHED TO THE THE WOODEN BASE OF THE MODEL THAT READS , APOLLO PHASE C General Dynamics ASTRONAUTICS – AVCO LUNAR TAKEOFF SPACECRAFT.
This one at least is not a mystery… The Convair M-1