What Cockpit? MK VI
Join Date: Jul 2007
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On the instrument panel is a rpm indicator, a manifold pressure indicator, on the left side a throttle lever, a mixture lever, maybe a prop lever and a mag switch.
For me it seems to be a single engined piston powered plane with american instruments, but I have no idea what ist is.
OK, disregard this message
For me it seems to be a single engined piston powered plane with american instruments, but I have no idea what ist is.
OK, disregard this message
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Townsville, Qld, Australia
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Many thanks, Bri, for covering me while my computer was down and for adding that photo in the last clue.
I'll add a bit of a clue, too. This aircraft had a configuration similar to several later, more successful, military and civilian aircraft.
I'll add a bit of a clue, too. This aircraft had a configuration similar to several later, more successful, military and civilian aircraft.
Looks like the unsuccessful (but not according to the History Channel who reckoned it could have shortened WW2) Curtiss XP-55 Ascender to moi.
Open house if it is.
Open house if it is.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Well Done, LowNSlow!! As you asked, it's now Open House!
It is indeed the XP-55 Ascender, an aircraft that always reminds me of the later Burt Rutan designs.
Except Rutan did a better job!
Cheers,
Glenn
It is indeed the XP-55 Ascender, an aircraft that always reminds me of the later Burt Rutan designs.
Except Rutan did a better job!
Cheers,
Glenn
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Slight thread creep but.....
File:Miles Libellula M 35 UO235.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
File:J7w.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Did Rutan really do a better job?
File:Miles Libellula M 35 UO235.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
File:J7w.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Did Rutan really do a better job?
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Without trying to extend the thread creep TOO much, I'll just say this...
Canard planforms have been around since before the Wright brothers, so the XP-55 wasn't ground-breaking on basic design principles. Of course, Curtiss-Wright was limited by working with 1940-ish technology and, thirty-odd years later, Burt Rutan had the Swedish Viggen for inspiration. Still, Rutan's first canard design -- the Vari-Viggen -- was stable, unlike the Ascender. Rutan used to demonstrate that by flying a circuit with the stick at full aft travel from the start of the takeoff roll to a full stop after landing. The aircraft's nose would nod up and down but it never fell out of the sky, unlike the XP-55. Or so I've been told.
There was, of course, only one tiny detail that made the difference. The angle of incidence of the Vari-Viggen's canard was such that, when approaching a stall, the canard stalled first, which unloaded the wing, dropped the nose and re-established normal airflow over the canard.
Curtiss-Wright was a very capable aircraft manufacturer, but on this occasion, they just didn't make the mental leap needed. It happens.
And, yes, there were other successful canard designs. I'm just more familiar with Rutan's work.
Doesn't anyone have a cockpit challenge to post?
Glenn
Canard planforms have been around since before the Wright brothers, so the XP-55 wasn't ground-breaking on basic design principles. Of course, Curtiss-Wright was limited by working with 1940-ish technology and, thirty-odd years later, Burt Rutan had the Swedish Viggen for inspiration. Still, Rutan's first canard design -- the Vari-Viggen -- was stable, unlike the Ascender. Rutan used to demonstrate that by flying a circuit with the stick at full aft travel from the start of the takeoff roll to a full stop after landing. The aircraft's nose would nod up and down but it never fell out of the sky, unlike the XP-55. Or so I've been told.
There was, of course, only one tiny detail that made the difference. The angle of incidence of the Vari-Viggen's canard was such that, when approaching a stall, the canard stalled first, which unloaded the wing, dropped the nose and re-established normal airflow over the canard.
Curtiss-Wright was a very capable aircraft manufacturer, but on this occasion, they just didn't make the mental leap needed. It happens.
And, yes, there were other successful canard designs. I'm just more familiar with Rutan's work.
Doesn't anyone have a cockpit challenge to post?
Glenn
Steen Skybolt ?
Wakey Waco !!
