A photo from open sources
Inventing the plane, a man immediately set about (and continues to this day then) improve it. Thousands of engineers are thinking how to increase airplane speed, flight range and its carrying capacity. Sometimes very unusual ideas are born in KB. All presented below the projects were embodied in metal, passed flight tests. Some went into mass production, some remained only as prototypes. But they all flew.
Convair V2 Sea Dart
During WWII, aircraft carriers showed themselves in all its splendor. However their vulnerability remained the Achilles heel. Reactive aircraft led to an increase in the size of floating airfields, which is not could not worry the military. Then at Convair and the idea of creating a jet seaplane.
A photo from open sources
The airplane was supposed to take off with catapults, sit on the water and taxi into the dock yourself aircraft carrier. During the fighting among the islands seaplanes could well be based in island bays without needing ground airfields.
The plane created by the company had hydrofoils and waterproof case. However, with the end of hostilities the military cooled off to the idea and canceled the serial order production. To this day, the Convair V2 Sea Dart remains the only seaplane to overcome the sound barrier.
Goodyear inflatoplane
A photo from open sources
A photo from open sources
In 1959, Goodyear Tire built an inflatable aircraft. All an airplane with a motor and cables fit in a 1.25 m container. cube A double plane inflated in 5 minutes with a compressor, and single model – with a bicycle pump. By thought developers, Goodyear Inflatoplane was supposed to be a means rescue pilots shot down in Vietnam and fallen on the territory, controlled by the vietkong.
The pilots themselves met the idea of an inflatable plane without enthusiasm. One successful shot – and no one is flying anywhere. War ended, the project was closed.
NASA A1 Pivot-Wing
A photo from open sources
In the early 80s, the United States developed a rotating wing aircraft, which swiveled down to a position parallel to the cab the pilot. Thus, the designers intended to increase streamlined and reduce the effect of turbulence.
To the surprise of the military, the aircraft showed very good results, although not so high as to be launched in a series.
Vought v-173
A photo from open sources
This “flying pancake” is a vertical take-off airplane. It was developed during WWII. Vought V-173 any merchant ship turned into a mini-aircraft carrier. The purpose of the “pancake” was the search and the fight against German submarines. The war is over, the need for the plane disappeared, the project was closed.
Bell P -39 Aircobra
A photo from open sources
In the late 30s, Bell Helicopters created an aircraft in which engine was placed behind the pilot. Thanks to such unusual layout “Aerocobra” acquired quality, profitable distinguishing it from aircraft of standard design. P-39 had more powerful weapons: 1 cannon and from 2 to 4 (depending on modifications) machine guns. (P-39D was equipped with 1 gun, 2 large-caliber and 4 conventional machine guns) maneuverability, increased speed, visibility led the pilots simply to delight.
However, the plane easily fell into a tailspin, and if left the pilot, with a high degree of probability, could be hit plumage. Therefore, the car was stolen by Lend-Lease in the USSR, where the “Aerocobra” with its gun and 6 machine guns was accepted as a native.
In the USSR, they soon learned about the shortcomings of the American aircraft and before landing at the helm of the P-39, the pilots passed additional courses on the withdrawal of the machine from a tailspin. And as for danger in case of forced abandonment of the car, then this Soviet pilots were least worried.
SR 71 Blackbird
A photo from open sources
This is an American supersonic reconnaissance aircraft. Trying give the aircraft high aerodynamic characteristics, designers deprived him of the front horizontal plumage, and stabilizer. The idea was successful. Blackbird has been recognized first-class reconnaissance aircraft and flew from 1964 to 1998 year.
Convair Pogo
A photo from open sources
Convair Pogo’s vertical take-off airplane took off like a rocket, nose up. In the air, the pilot leveled the car and CP is no longer different from other aircraft. Non-standard take-off and landing demanded a very high skill, which not all possessed the pilots. For this reason, the military abandoned the car.
McDonnell Douglas X-15
A photo from open sources
A photo from open sources
This rocket was created in 1959, intended for flying at high altitudes. During the tests, I flew at a speed of 6 times the speed of sound. Climbed to a height of over 30 km. Two flights were counted as space.
Blohm und Voss BV 141
A photo from open sources
Reconnaissance aircraft. It may seem strange, but test pilots spoke very much about its flight performance well. But as for the landing – here they are in terms not were shy. Engine power at 1.000 hp clearly not enough. The problem could be solved by installing the BMW 801 engines in 1500 hp, but they were equipped with FW-189 fighters. Click to enlarge BMW engine production was not able to. At the headquarters of the luftwaffe Reflected and made a choice in favor of the fighter.
Caproni Ca.60 Noviplano
A photo from open sources
It was supposed to be the first transatlantic aircraft in history. aviation. 150 passenger seats, nine wings, eight engines total power 3,000 hp In March 1921, the plane took off in test flight, which became the first and only. At height 18 meters, the plane began to collapse and fell. Gianni Caprione intended to restore the plane, but everything came up against a financial issue, and soon the wreckage of the plane burned. Italy Air Launch – The United States was postponed for several years.
Among the list of amazing devices there are no Soviet-made designers. This is not at all because Soviet engineers are less Inventive than Americans or Europeans. Not created in the USSR less interesting projects, it’s just not customary to talk about it aloud.
War Time Missiles Aircraft USSR USA
