A hypothetical re a/c design & construction
 

I was watching a show recently that endeavoured to build da Vinci's glider using traditional methods & materials.

It made me wonder what sort of a/c would be possible given our current aerodynamic & technical knowledge but limited to using techniques & materials of, say, 500 or 1000 years ago.

Your thoughts?

I guess that aiframes could have been rather evolved (e.g. : all-wooden Mosquito)

It would be hard building lightweight and robust engines, though.

I'm surprised at you Tinny. There's already a prime example of the pricise thing... it's called an Islander! :}

Steady on, Oz. I said 500 or 1000 years. Not 2000. Although the thought experiment could be set at anytime. Copper age, anyone? We could invoke a BN2A then! :p


Bre901, that's the point: How does the technology of the era limit what could be done, and how to work around those limitations.

For example, I think a reasonably competent hanglider is feasable using bamboo + silk cloth. Ditto parasails & conventional gliders. Not sure that 500 or 1000 years ago that plywood was available?

Power is a very difficult one. Steam thrust was demonstrated in ancient Greek times. Perhaps some sort of steam engine is feasable with available metalurgy.

Aero engines out of the question given materials.
They'd glide further.
They'd carry more weight.
They'd last longer.
But compared with the horse-drawn-carriage, they'd get left behind like beta video casette.


Effects on flyin' in 2004? Negligible to zilcho.

oh yeah, they'd be easier to turn.