Here are selections from each US Bomber Project issue released so far, plus one from the next issue (#8). Remember, full issues are only four bucks a pop…
Feb 112014
Feb 102014
For the next few days blogging might be a bit sparse as I work on the next issues of Aerospace Projects Review and US Bomber Projects. Usually when I release one of these, I get a *few* emails, generally complementary, sometimes asking for clarification or pointing out editing/spelling errors, that sort of thing (and with APR, “make go more faster”). I very rarely get “why don’t you include this” or “why don’t you do that” messages. Well… discuss. What would you like to see new and/or different in APR and/or USBP?
Also: the perpetual problem I have with both of these is lack of public knowledge of these titles. Heck, when I did “The Space Show” interview two months ago, I expected a slight bump in business… but sales (and views of the APR blog) actually went *down* slightly in the week afterwards. Damned if I can figure that out. So if anyone has any suggestions on how to get some press for these little endeavors, I’d appreciate ’em. And of course, an increase in interest & sales will mean an increase on *my* part in producing these things faster, so if you want APR and USBP issues at a faster clip, here’s how to get it done.
Feb 022014
A North American Aviation concept for a highly modified P-82, dating from 1949. The piston engines would be removed and replaced with Allison XT-38 turboprops. The engines would be located mid-fuselage, necessitating that the cockpit would have to be moved well forward of their normal position. The end result would be a plane that weighed the same, gave the pilots better views and went substantially faster.
This one may show up in a future issue of USBP, as the intended role was ground attack.
Jan 312014
From the Jay Miller archive, a 1964 cutaway illustration of the Boeing 733-197 supersonic transport. This was relatively low capacity compared to the later 2707 designs, being somewhat more like Concorde. I’ve seen and scanned several different versions of this, but each has been substantially flawed (this one is gray and the wingtips are out of focus… another is color, but was chopped in half to fit in a proposal, etc.). If anyone might happen to have a high-rez, clear color version, I’d love to see it.
See HERE for more on the 733-197.
Jan 252014
Couple being very ill with desperately trying to make a dime, I’ve not had much opportunity to scour my files recently for aerospace projects to blog about. So here’s one: a notion for a fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle produced by North American around 1963. This was part of a study for reusable launchers with a payload of 50 to 100 tons, with the baseline design being a reusable version of the Saturn V.
This design was at the far end of the possible designs, with “nail wings onto S-IC and S-II stages” being on the near-term end. This design would be fully reusable with both stages manned and powered by LOX/LH2 burning expansion-deflection rocket engines. As with many such designs of the time, the wing area is relatively gigantic.
Jan 192014
Now available:
Issue number 06 of US Bomber Projects is now available (for background, see HERE). This issue includes:
- Boeing Model 464-18: a reduced-size version of the 464-17 turboprop strategic bomber
- Convair WS-125A: A supersonic seaplane powered by nuclear reactors
- Martin MX-2092: a subsonic jet bomber that towed a large missile
- GD AMPSS: A 1963 variable geometry design leading towards the B-1
- Republic System 464L: a lifting body spaceplane with a nuclear bomb on its back
- Martin Model 223-6: a 1944 step on the road to the XB-48
- Boeing Model 701-273-6: A supersonic bomber composed of two linked aircraft
- Martin Water-Based Attack Aircraft: a single-seat strike plane capable of water takeoffs & landings
USBP#06 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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US Bomber Projects #07 is also now available. This issue includes:
- Boeing Model 464-25: a modification of the 464-17 turboprop bomber with slightly swept wings, among other changes
- Boeing Model 828-2: a giant and incredibly slow long-endurance plane with a formidable payload
- Fairchild N-12: an early nuclear powered turboprop design
- Rockwell D645-3: a supersonic treetop-level bomber capable of completely stowing its wing
- Boeing model 701-273-7: last in the study, a design with a large wing, a small fuselage and canards
- Bell MX-Carrying Hovercraft: a large armored hovercraft complete with an MX missile and self-defense interceptor missiles
- Convair System 464L: Dyna Soar I and Dyna Soar III spaceplanes
- Martin Model 223-7: A 1944 ancestor to the XB-48 with vertically stacked engines
USBP#07 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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Jan 182014
A bit of Boeing art showing trip times around the US for their 2707 SST. This was obviously before the panic over sonic booms destroyed hopes for overland supersonic travel.
Jan 172014
On the back of one odd piece of Boeing propaganda for the 2707 SST were a few paintings depicting the wonders that the SST would bring. This one depicts the interior of the SST. It seems, by modern standards, quite empty and spartan… what happened to the overhead baggage stowage? There seems to be only a little of that here.
Also, notice that the stewardesses/flight attendants/whatever seem to be wearing bubble helmets. This is not doubt pure artistic license, meant to make it look more mid-1960s Future Cool. But having flown recently, and having spent those seven or eight hours cooped up right in front of someone who spent the whole trip coughing up their lungs (and, unsurprisingly, I came down with the plague within the next day or two), I know *I* would certainly want to wear an environment suit if I had to spend my days in a sealed aluminum tube with hundreds of random strangers. Hell, next time I fly I’m wearing a gas mask.
Jan 152014
Possibly an ATF, more likely a pre-ATF concept. Looks high performance but with little effort at stealth.If the code scribbled on it means what I think it might, it may be dated 1971. In which case this would be a bit late for the F-15 program (McD was picked in 1969), and certainly doesn’t fit the F-16 profile.
Jan 122014
Another from the stash of largely-Grumman concept art, a lift-fan equipped VTOL aircraft, probably a ground support plane. The terrain is clearly Viet Nam inspired, so I’d put this in the second half of the 1960’s.
Note the complete lack of markings. This may indicate that the painting was photographed while still in a “neutral” stage, where markings could be applied aimed at specific customers. The Marines would seem an obvious choice, but in the mid 1960’s it was still a believable possibility that the Army could be equipped with aircraft such as this.