Meteor based VTOL

[wuzak]

A topic running over at ww2aircraft.net is about VTOL aircraft based on the Gloster Meteor.

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/vtol-aircraft-based-gloster-meteor-7-a-43172.html

Thought a few people here would be interested.

[PR19_Kit]

Anything BUT a practical solution I'd have said. 

I've seen references the 'diverted thrust Meteor', RA490, before now, it's mentioned in many of the Meteor books around.

A Mk. 8 tail was used for stability and Mk.10 outer wings were added for a span of 44'4" making the largest span of any Meteor.

He's obviously mis-informed. 

[zenrat]

These people have a problem with reality - they seem to think it is desirable!

[sandiego89]

With only 18 engines what could go wrong?   

[Rheged]

With only 18 engines what could go wrong?   

The answer is in the question! 18 engines, when would they all go right?........which is probably your thought too!!

[sandiego89]

when would they all go right?........which is probably your thought too!!

Exactly.  Seems all the powered lift proposals with multiple lift engines were destined to have dubious or very limited operational capability- but are perfect for WHIF material! 

[Mossie]

MORE LIFT ENGINES!  The soloution to every VTOL problem.

[PR19_Kit]

The theoretical MTBF increases linearly with the number of similar components. In my experience the similar components don't know this and they go wrong just as the mood takes them. And most times that's MORE frequently than the theoretical MTBF! 

The chance of all 18 engines producing the same amount of thrust at the same time must have been less than zero......

[MTBF = Mean Time Between Failures in case you've not come across it before]

[wuzak]

I wonder if Gloster considered a tilt wing?

Though engine thrust may not have been enough at that time.

[PR19_Kit]

They'd have to find somewhere for the wheels, and the centre fuselage was a fuel tank.........