Silhouette challenge
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Convair GAM-71 Buck Duck
In the early 1950s, Convair studied the concept of a small decoy missile to be carried inside the bomb bay of a B-36 Peacemaker bomber. This decoy was to be launched by the B-36 in enemy air space to confuse and saturate air defense systems. Convair actually built a prototype using company funds, and in August 1954 the USAF awarded an official development contract for the Buck Duck decoy under project MX-2224. The vehicle was subsequently designated GAM-71, and the name was sometimes shortened to plain Duck. Glide tests of XGAM-71 prototypes launched from a modified B-29 began in February 1955.
The GAM-71 was a small missile with straight wings which could be folded for stowage in the B-36's bomb bay. It was powered by an Aerojet XLR85 variable-thrust liquid-fueled rocket engine, which offered a powered flight duration of 38 minutes. The Buck Duck used radar reflectors to simulate the radar return of a B-36, and had a range of 370 km (230 miles) at a speed of Mach 0.55. Initially it was planned that one bomber in a formation carries the full load of seven GAM-71s, but using a mixed load of two decoys and a reduced bomb load on all B-36s would have been also possible.
In the early 1950s, Convair studied the concept of a small decoy missile to be carried inside the bomb bay of a B-36 Peacemaker bomber. This decoy was to be launched by the B-36 in enemy air space to confuse and saturate air defense systems. Convair actually built a prototype using company funds, and in August 1954 the USAF awarded an official development contract for the Buck Duck decoy under project MX-2224. The vehicle was subsequently designated GAM-71, and the name was sometimes shortened to plain Duck. Glide tests of XGAM-71 prototypes launched from a modified B-29 began in February 1955.
The GAM-71 was a small missile with straight wings which could be folded for stowage in the B-36's bomb bay. It was powered by an Aerojet XLR85 variable-thrust liquid-fueled rocket engine, which offered a powered flight duration of 38 minutes. The Buck Duck used radar reflectors to simulate the radar return of a B-36, and had a range of 370 km (230 miles) at a speed of Mach 0.55. Initially it was planned that one bomber in a formation carries the full load of seven GAM-71s, but using a mixed load of two decoys and a reduced bomb load on all B-36s would have been also possible.
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Thanks Sinco - so I see that website has also been found! I came across it a couple of months back and had been meaning to have a more detailed look at it but never got around to it! Sorry to those who did all the hard work - a quick search for rocket powered decoy found it. Good challenge 
Something definitely not rocket powered!
Something definitely not rocket powered!
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Thanks skytrain; I actually found that site when I was looking for your North American X-10 Challenge last year, tiz good though!
Trailing for bait cancelled as I see it looks like the Wizard has it
Trailing for bait cancelled as I see it looks like the Wizard has it
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Is your latest a fighter or a racer/sport type and is it late twenties or early thirties?
Edit to say - see I was right!
Graeme - well done, yes the Siai S.52 from 1924
. All your mate.
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Sinco
Blimey - and here was I thinking I was the only one! I got the X-10 from a that excellent publication, X-Planes by Jay Miller.
I actually found that site when I was looking for your North American X-10
Gentlemen....
I've got some serious eating and drinking to do tonight. Please ignore my challenge above and make it OPEN HOUSE.
See you next year!
Cheers,
Graeme.
I've got some serious eating and drinking to do tonight. Please ignore my challenge above and make it OPEN HOUSE.
See you next year!
Cheers,
Graeme.
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Graeme
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family mate. Have a good one
May all your challenges in 2011 be simple ones!!
Cheers mate - I'll catch up on the eating and the drinking when I get back home tonight.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family mate. Have a good one
May all your challenges in 2011 be simple ones!!
Cheers mate - I'll catch up on the eating and the drinking when I get back home tonight.
