I downloaded this photo off the web a few years back, but it didn’t have the context. Anybody got a link to a description? If it is a for-real shot, it’s amazing timing.
Dec 132009
Dec 132009
An early 1960’s flyign crane proposal, utilizing turbojets at the tips of the rotors. This would virtually eliminate torque. However, tip turbojets were always problematic due to the sideways loads imparted by the centrifugal forces.
Dec 132009
Illustrated by a single photo in the book “German Research In World War II” (by Colonel Leslie Simon of the US Army Ballistic Research Labs, published 1947) is either a mockup or an incomplete wooden prototype of a supposed supersonic aircraft. The photo does not show the full length of the aircraft, lopping off both the nose and the tail. Trying to figure out just what the hell is going on here is somewhat of a problem. I made a cheesy attempt at reconstructing the design (sans tail) based on the single photo. Could easily be dead wrong. If anyone has additional info, I’d like to see it.
This likely is related to the supposed work of one Dr. Zippermayr in developing an aircraft called the “Pfiel” (Arrow), which featured a similarly stubby wing. Zippermayr’s post-war interviews with the US military are discussed here.
Dec 132009
With side-by-side rotors. I think that this is all I have on this, I’m afraid. Dates from about 1956.
Dec 122009
… when the snow is up to your harbls.
And finally, a blurry photo of the New Guy:
Dec 122009
And so it begins…
Going “green” causes problem for public works crews in West Bend
All of the snow we had this week formed a white cap on a lot of the traffic lights in West Bend. The old incandescent lights usually provided enough warmth to melt away those snow caps. But the new LED lights generate hardly any heat. Therefore, the snow stays and prevents drivers from seeing the signals.
The LED light problem led to a crash at the intersection of Westwood and Washington in West Bend.
“Yay” for unintended consequences!!!
Dec 122009
On display outside the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Nebraska…
Dec 122009
I dunno, this just seems kinda tacky… a gold plated, non-functional M-60 at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum.
The info plate reads:
US M-60 7.62mm Gold Plated Machine Gun
Manufactured by Saco-Lowell. This weapons was given to the Commanding General of Weapons Command by Saco-Lowell upon completion of contract. This machine gun is made of unservicable parts.
Dec 122009
At Hill Aerospace Museum.
If you like this sort stuff I post, you can support the cause by Buying My Stuff, which includes aerospace drawings and documents, as well as the journal of unbuilt aircraft and spacecraft projects, Aerospace Projects Review. Or you could just Donate.
Dec 112009
Along with a number of other almost certainly profitless ideas, I’ve been jonesing to CAD model starships. No, not the Millenium Falcon or the USS Enterprise… but actual starship concepts that have been put forward by people or groups who actually had some idea what they were talking about. Daedalus, Enzmann, Bussard ramjet, Medusa, various “world ships” (numerous sails – solar, laser, microwave, etc. – are of course appropriate, but boring as hell from the modeling standpoint). This would be for a future APR article, and possibly to be printed in 3D.
What starships should I make sure to not forget?