Design your own airplane

[morfiend]

Actually it was a logistics decision, they didn't want to have to support handed engines.

Of course there was a stupid easy solution to that which was actually used on the Hornet, just have an additional gear in the reduction gearing on one side and presto, prop rotates in the opposite direction.  Did the P-38 use that method or did it have handed engines?

 Yup, and the hornet would be my choice,and if I got real brave and ventured into a single engined plane,well Bearcat or Fury would go nicely.

[33Vortex]

That's easy!

[B3YT]

one word   : giggity.

[macerxgp]

Actually, I'd like to make my ACTUAL pitch for best plane.....

Ta183, with the proper engine (HeS011) installed, and some X-4's to boot. Hell, why not throw in an afterburner and some hizookas?


And a Strato-262 is a terrible idea. Those 004's beat themselves to death to make idle speed at high-alt.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Actually it was a logistics decision, they didn't want to have to support handed engines.

Of course there was a stupid easy solution to that which was actually used on the Hornet, just have an additional gear in the reduction gearing on one side and presto, prop rotates in the opposite direction.  Did the P-38 use that method or did it have handed engines?

The P-38 had "handed" engines. All the same parts, just assembled differently. Not a REAL problem logistically, if you work on the engines in the field, and they did, it is easy to make a left into a right, and to reverse the process. An added step in the process though, it is true.

When you are not using straight cut spur gears, reversing the rotation in the gear box can be troublesome, it creates issues with thrust loading and endplay. The P-38 suffered through that early on.

[dirtdart]

A A6M5 with two 30mm cannon and a blower on the engine.   

[Shuckins]

Standard F6F-5 Hellcat airframe, coupled to either a Pratt and Whitney R-2800-18W or -36W engine.  Hamilton-Standard hydromatic airscrew with 6501 blades.

Powered, hydraulic ailerons similar to the type installed on late-model P-38s.

Dive-brake to control compression in high-speed dives.

Four well-tooled Hispano-Suiza 20mm cannon.

Auto-matic flaps that deploy to decrease turn radius.

Modified canopy for better vision to the rear.

[Sol75]

Why not make this into a challenge for those of us with Xplane or the ability to build planes for MSFS?  Give it say, one month... to make it simple, designs are due on or Jan 1st 2009.

We can have a set "test" syllabus to test these aircraft and compare our Data to determine the winner.  (best overall performance)

Of course we would need a set of rules regarding the design of said aircraft.

I will start a new thread with my ideas for "rules" maybe some can chime in with suggestions... and then we can finalize the rules and begin the building?

[mechanic]

is Xplane still free or does it close the program after 5 mins like the other demo? i am hoping to pick up a copy of it sometime.
thanks

[Angus]

Standard F6F-5 Hellcat airframe, coupled to either a Pratt and Whitney R-2800-18W or -36W engine.  Hamilton-Standard hydromatic airscrew with 6501 blades.

Powered, hydraulic ailerons similar to the type installed on late-model P-38s.

Dive-brake to control compression in high-speed dives.

Four well-tooled Hispano-Suiza 20mm cannon.

Auto-matic flaps that deploy to decrease turn radius.

Modified canopy for better vision to the rear.

That would be close to a Chog. Now we already have that one 

[Shuckins]

Better than a C-Hog, cause it doesn't have those quirky little handling problems. 

Besides, that was MY design.  Go build yer own, you...you...ICELANDER you!   

[Tony Williams]

I had a go at that one a few years ago; it's here: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/WW2plane.htm

This is a ‘what if’ exercise to devise an ‘ideal’ fantasy plane. The criteria are these:

Starting in the mid-1930s, specify the design of one plane (which may have several variants) which would make the greatest difference to the effectiveness of the RAF and/or Fleet Air Arm.

You must use existing, available equipment and technology.

The design should be able to be made without clashing with other equipment priorities (especially over the use of engines).

It must be capable of being upgraded so that, while it must be in full squadron service by early 1940, it remains useful throughout the war.

You are allowed the benefit of hindsight in determining what would be most useful; you don’t have to be restricted to what 1930s designers would have known."

Enjoy!

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website

[camnite]

Some of this wont match perfectly, cause I'm not an uber historian, but:
B-24 main body
B-17 wings and mounting
B-26 nose and cockpit
4 R2800W36 Engines
10 .50 machine guns, 2 20mm hispanios in tail gun
2000 mile fuel range

Just thought I would do a bomber instead of a fighter.

[Serenity]

Some of this wont match perfectly, cause I'm not an uber historian, but:
B-24 main body
B-17 wings and mounting
B-26 nose and cockpit
4 R2800W36 Engines
10 .50 machine guns, 2 20mm hispanios in tail gun
2000 mile fuel range

Just thought I would do a bomber instead of a fighter.

Thats one bizare looking motherf*****... If only I was on my other comp I could post some pics of the B-24/B-17 hybrid they made during the war...

[moot]

Ta152H body, no GM1 (maybe a low alt engine as in the D11 or -C), no aft tank, no gizmo radio, no wingroot guns, a MK103 in the nose with 100 rounds or more, wooden tail and enlarged horizontal surfaces, the planned prop upgrades, drooping ailerons and fowler flaps.