jzichek

A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com reproducing a flight test report on the Grumman F6F-5K Target Drone: This report covers flight tests of the F6F-5K from May 1946 through April 1947 and discusses the major problems encountered in the adaptation of the basic P-1K automatic pilot installation and related features of the overall drone configuration comprising the system. The report features numerous schematics and photos of the equipment installed in the F6F-5K, as well as photos of the control truck. This is excellent material for modelers who would like to build a super-detailed replica of one of these pilotless Hellcats. -Jared

Check out this article at RetroMechanix.com on a USAAF evaluation of the Navy “Special Weapons Ordnance Device” (SWOD) Mark 9 “Bat” radar-guided glide bomb dating from 1945: The Bat was one of the world’s earliest fully-automatic, target-seeking “smart” weapon systems. In 1945, the Air Force sent a liaison officer to observe the employment of this radar-guided glide bomb by Navy PB4Y-2 Privateer squadrons against Japanese ships. The article reproduces the entire report, along with 10 photos of the Bat and its associated equipment; these provide excellent reference for those wishing to model Privateers equipped with these innovative weapons. -Jared

A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com presenting a Bell "XF-109" brochure and mock-up inspection program dating from February 1959: This is the last article in our series on this ill-fated supersonic VTOL fighter; the profusely illustrated color brochure focuses exclusively on the Air Force variant, while the program provides an interesting overview of the mock-up inspection process and the state of Bell facilities in 1959. The article features 72 images reproducing both documents in full. -Jared

A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com on the evaluation of the Doblhoff Wnf 342 V4 helicopter by General Electric in 1948: This captured German helicopter employed blade-tip jets to drive the rotor; it was bailed to General Electric by the USAAF in late 1946 in connection with the development of the XR-17 helicopter, which later became the Hughes XH-17. The article reproduces the majority of the evaluation report, which offers a detailed critique of the design, and includes 9 photos of the helicopter under test. -Jared

Check out this new article at RetroMechanix.com about a NACA proposal for a jet powered research aircraft dating from September 1943: From late 1942 through 1943, a young assistant aeronautical engineer at the NACA Ames Aeronautical Laboratory named Richard C. Scherrer made a series of jet engine and aircraft proposals, culminating in the September 13, 1943 study shown above. While his jet engine and aircraft designs never left the drawing board, Scherrer went on to have an outstanding career in the aerospace industry, as you will find out in the accompanying article. It features 42 images, including several drawings of the proposed engines and aircraft. Would make for an interesting scratchbuilding exercise! -Jared

Thank you, Mike! Believe it or not, there is still more material on the aircraft to post, so stay tuned!

A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com reproducing a mock-up report on the Bell Model 2000 dating from February 1959: The accompanying image gallery features 165 images, including many schematics of the fighter's major components and several nice artist's impressions. -Jared

A new article reproducing a 1938 wind tunnel test report on the Douglas El Segundo Division Project 9 tailless bomber design is now up at RetroMechanix.com: Project 9 was likely designed (or heavily influenced) by Jack Northrop, who would leave Douglas and form his own independent company the following year. The accompanying gallery features 19 images, with numerous high-res photos and drawings. Would make for an interesting scratchbuilding project! -Jared

A new article reproducing a Curtiss-Wright proposal for a turboprop fighter-bomber conversion of the XF-87 Blackhawk is now up at RetroMechanix.com: The proposal includes numerous drawings of various ordnance and gun combinations, along with a recce version. Also included are 3 photos of the original XF-87, one of the most handsome aircraft of its day. The accompanying gallery features 19 images, the majority in high resolution. Would make for an interesting conversion project in scale model form! -Jared

Check out this article reproducing a Bell report on the XP-77 wooden lightweight fighter project and a proposed successor at RetroMechanix.com The report provides an excellent history of this unusual fighter prototype up to mid-1944, one of the best summaries I've come across. The end of the document also features a proposal for an improved all-metal version with a turbosupercharger and a bubble canopy, as shown immediately above. The accompanying gallery features 37 images, including several high resolution photos and drawings. It's great reference material for modeling both the XP-77 and the improved version that never left the drawing board! -Jared

Check out this article reproducing an Air Proving Ground test report of a pair of rocket-boosted P-51D Mustangs at RetroMechanix.com: The project was initiated to provide "flash performance" for the Mustang in response to the appearance of German turbojet and rocket-powered fighters in late 1944. Two P-51D-25 airplanes, serial nos. 44-73099 and 44-74050, were fitted with Aerojet acid-aniline rocket motors; the exhaust of the motor can be seen just in front of the tail wheel above. Red fuming nitric acid was carried in a special tank under the port wing; an aniline-alcohol mixture was carried in a tank under the starboard wing. The accompanying gallery features 27 images reproducing the majority of the report, including several rare photos of the modified aircraft. -Jared

Check out this article at RetroMechanix.com on early concepts for the Lockheed XF-90 long range penetration fighter: The article features 26 images, including high resolution three-views of some very unusual configurations. Plenty of inspiration for some interesting scratchbuilt models! -Jared

New article reproducing a Johns Hopkins study of a strategic ram jet missile done for the Air Force in August 1946 is now up on RetroMechanix.com: The study examines the powered range of a family of ram-jet propelled vehicles to determine the effect of various propulsion parameters and schemes. The accompanying gallery features 9 images, including inboard profiles and artwork of the 4 configurations considered. Each configuration was evaluated in 3 sizes, ranging from 40 to 80 ft in length. Note the unusual reverse delta wing, which showed promise at the time but has since been largely abandoned. Would make for an interesting scratchbuilding subject! -Jared

New article reproducing a September 1946 progress report on the Martin Orbit Project is now up on RetroMechanix.com: This huge rocket project appears to be a refinement of Martin's earlier High Altitude Test Vehicle (HATV) proposal, an ambitious single-stage-to-orbit satellite launch vehicle designed for the U.S. Navy immediately after WW II. The accompanying gallery features 24 images, including several high resolution drawings of the vehicle. Would make for an interesting scratchbuilding project! -Jared

New article on the Republic AP-47 Mixed-Power Ground Support Airplane Proposal of 1948 is now up at RetroMechanix.com: This was an evolution of the venerable P-47 that featured the addition of a jet power plant in the aft fuselage, among many other modifications. The accompanying gallery features 5 images, including high resolution general arrangement and inboard profile drawings. -Jared