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duraluminwolf — AP-97 Colossus airliner
Published: 2006-03-17 16:06:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 3773; Favourites: 74; Downloads: 42
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Description
I designed this airplane for a multi-parter comic strip which I'm working on at the moment. I was inspired by the Junker G38 "Flying Wing" and designs by the famous American industrial designer, Norman Bel Geddes. For the background, I looked at aerial photgraphs of New York in the 1930's.Related content
Comments: 28
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I remeber something like this kind of plane made it's presences in the 2000's adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis at the end of the film (ever heard of it? if not then i suggest you go and wacth it, it fairly interesting).
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You've gotta admit it, when it came
to aircraft design, the Germans were
ahead of the game in the 30's/40's.
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This thing looks like the big frickin' airplane from Captain America...
I LOVE IT!
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I must say the Valkyrie from the Captain
America film was one serious piece of machinery!
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Ah, so that's what it's called. Cool!
Agreed.
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Beautiful aircraft, I'm sure the Luftwaffe would have wanted to get their hands on your design. I'm still kind of in a state of shock at the amount of detail has been put into this piece.
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Yeah, I'm sure they would have.
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Blended Wing Body Aircraft...
See mine...[link]
But I love yours too!
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looks like a combination of the G-38 and the FMA IA38
i like it ^^
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John Northrup who created Northrup Aircraft and
the famous "B-49 Flying Wing" did have a
passenger version of the plane, it was
only on concept in drawings.
After, the USAF canceled the "B-49" bomber program , Mr. Northrup and
Northrup Aircraft came up with a promotional film of it
to interest airline companies in it.
It failed in two ways:
1) Airlines were TOO USED to an aircraft with
a fuselage, two wings and a tail section.
Not a SOLID WING aircraft.
2) They had reservations because of the
USAF cancellation of the bomber program.
Also, it was not well known is that there was
political in-fighting inside the USAF.
Stuart Symington head of the USAF wanted Northrup Aircraft to
merge with Consolidated Aircraft Company(maker of the B-36 Bomber).
He threaten to cause trouble if this was not done.
A deal could not be worked out,
the merger failed to happened.
Stuart Symington canceled the "B-49 Flying Wing" contract and
went with the "B-36"(which was ALREADY OBSOLETE).
Despite, what you may have heard about the "B-49" Flying Wing,
the test pilots that flew the aircraft
said it was a very good aircraft.
They did say, "At first the earlier versions were
unstable, However the Honeywell Corporation
had this stabilizer which we called
"Little Herbert" that FIXED all the previous problems
of aircraft stability.
If it was not for Stuart Symington the standard airliner
designs would have been flying wings
instead of what you see at airports now.
What one aviation expert said, "We lost an advance
piece of aviation technology
because of one politician ..."
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My, I'm impressed! You certainly know your stuff.
Thinking about it, I suppose I was subconsciously inspired by the YB-35 as well.
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Cool, it's hard to see such good pictures of hand drawn airliners. Flying wings often have a nose-down tendency and the high-mounted propulsions would've ditch the plane, but they and the cabin are all situated towards the back, and the center of G is shifted back, so it could all balance out nicely...
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Many thanks for the comment, and the fave. I'm glad you like my rendering. I've had a look at some of the pics in your gallery, and I've noticed that you have a knack for vehicles and technical design.
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You're welcomed. I'd appreciate some critiques on my pic too, if you are not too busy
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Very reminiscent of the YB-35, that Jack Northrop designed and built. Look for Boeing to trump the Airbus 380 in the future with a blended wing body (BWB) design that will be your "Colossus airliner".
I like your work.
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Thanks. Glad you like my work. I DO aim to please.
BTW, I suppose I did have the Northrop YB-35 somewhat in mind when desinging this plane.
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I favorited your Clipper for three reasons, 1) it is good, 2) the idea of it as a private business jet would be awesome (it was very spacious and would be comfortable, but a bit slow for today's standards, but still way cool) and 3) is that my grandfather designed the water wings on the Clipper as his first job as an aeronautical engineer. It is a part of aviation history I enjoy.
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What's it like to have a famous grandfather? You must feel really privileged.
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He wasn't famous, except to me. He did go on to design/engineer many aircraft all the way through WW II, before moving on to other projects. He was selected as the Air Force's representative for the Smithsonian Elder Statesman of Aviation Award, back in 1994 which was a nice ending and recognition to his efforts in aviation.
Your interest in the 30's style design and romanticism, he lived. He was sent to Sweden before the war to help their aviation design house (developed into the modern day Saab). He and my grandmother would tell the story on how they had to leave in '39. They sailed from the Baltic Sea and had to fear of being sank by U-boats. They did see one surface and even took a picture of it. You could see sailors working on the deck gun.
That time period, culminating with the war, is very interesting. Keep up your work in it. It is good.
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Thanks. Nice to know someone who takes an interest in 1930s industrial design.
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norman bell geddes, the great designer and pioneer in streamline style, i love this fusion of his designs, and northropes flying wing.
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