Silhouette challenge
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Lanier Vacuplane XL-4?
Please take the thread Ken.
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Although I have given it to you, it's not the XL-4.
Try Lanier Vaccu Plane.
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Teehee, we have already had at least one challenge from this inventor of the ice cream cone…..
Edward H. Lanier: "Vacuplane" (US Patent # 1,750,529 etc.) Airplaen
Giggled 'vacuplane' only
Edward H. Lanier: "Vacuplane" (US Patent # 1,750,529 etc.) Airplaen
Giggled 'vacuplane' only
Last edited by RegDep; 16th Jul 2011 at 13:47.
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Named by its designer, a research professor at the University of Miami, the "vacuplane", an airplane of unusual appearance has been successfully flown. Two types thus far have been developed, but both have the distinguishing features of extremely short span and a hollow airfoil with baffle fins replacing the usual top covering. The wing in horizontal section has a shape somewhat like that of a bird in flight, but is fitted at the end with disks to reduce the wing-tip vortex and to add to lateral control. The cabin of the ship is highly streamlined with resulting low resistance. Lateral balance in the earlier tests was obtained through "flipper" controls placed in the propeller slipstream, but the later type was equipped with ailerons. The hollow character of the wing, with its open and baffled top, is said to add greatly to the lifting power of the airfoil vacuum and allow the plane to take off and land at low speeds. Performance in the air was considered good enough to warrant the statement by the pilot that the plane virtually flew itself.
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Thanks David. I found the photo in this article which implies it was the XL-4
http://www.eaach1.org/Design/Comm4v1_FullR4.pdf
The description in Aerofiles of the XL-4 also appears to match the challenge aircraft.
Certainly an interesting design.
..nothing comes up on searches.
Stand-by for the next one
http://www.eaach1.org/Design/Comm4v1_FullR4.pdf
The description in Aerofiles of the XL-4 also appears to match the challenge aircraft.
Certainly an interesting design.
Try Lanier Vaccu Plane
Stand-by for the next one
Last edited by skytrain10; 16th Jul 2011 at 16:55.
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We are not so many on the thread, but maybe we need a clue, other than not European and not in Aerofiles. Have looked to Argentina, Japan, China, and Russia. Anything interesting that would help me somewhere without giving it away for nothing?
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