Post amazingly cool pictures of aircraft (Volume 2)
Discussion
Interesting point. The Whittle W1 engine was so weedy, I reckon they couldn't find a suitable small enough aeroplane into which it could fit and be tested in realistic flight conditions.
They could have mounted it on a larger aeroplane, as in the photos above, and as they did later using Wellingtons, but I reckon in the years 1939 to 1941 they were reluctant to transfer desperately needed bombers to experimental units.
As it was, the instructions given to Gloster was to design as conservative and airframe as they could and not to try any fancy aerodynamics.
It turned out that the E28/39 was quite a nice handling little aeroplane and they even toyed with the idea of turning it into a fighter. In the end, because of the low thrust of these early engines, it was decided that a twin engine design was needed - although still married to a conservative airframe. This is where the Meteor came from.
They could have mounted it on a larger aeroplane, as in the photos above, and as they did later using Wellingtons, but I reckon in the years 1939 to 1941 they were reluctant to transfer desperately needed bombers to experimental units.
As it was, the instructions given to Gloster was to design as conservative and airframe as they could and not to try any fancy aerodynamics.
It turned out that the E28/39 was quite a nice handling little aeroplane and they even toyed with the idea of turning it into a fighter. In the end, because of the low thrust of these early engines, it was decided that a twin engine design was needed - although still married to a conservative airframe. This is where the Meteor came from.
yellowjack said:
Can't have been fitted that long if it's still in primer.
LotusOmega375D said:
They certainly do corrode. Particularly Russian stuff in their harsh climate. Also there’s all the wiring and control systems.
Titanium, inconel or stainless don't easily corrode in my experience.Not much wiring in there, engine nozzle controls tend to be pneumatic.eccles said:
LotusOmega375D said:
How can it be stealthy with most of the red hot engines uncovered? Probably bad for corrosion too.
Red hot things don't usually corrode to any meaningful level plus they are made of stuff that doesn't corrode.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff