A misteln whif

[maxmwill]

I'm in the process of putting together a 1/72 scale model of a Lippisch P12 ramjet fighter. I  had originally thought that I'd build it with landing gear extended, then realized that as proposed, it didn't have the room for landing gear, and a belly skid would still be a bit much. As a ramjet would not even start below 350 mph, I then began to consider an air launch, with a mistel configuration being the simplest and most expeditious way to launch it. So, then began the search for a likely candidate. To make a long story shorter, I realized that a twin tail might be the best configuration, as the flame from the ramjet would be easily 10 feet long(three meters), so I found that the best plane for the job would have been a Heinkel He-280, as this fighter prototype had been consigned to simply testing.

So, as to the mistel framework, I am at something of an impasse, and am asking for any helpful suggestions as to how to go about this.

[elmayerle]

In as much as weight and cg requirements are going to put the P.12 above the cockpit, I'd suggest two struts to the front of the P.12 from points of the He-280 fuselage in line with the wing leading edge and outboard of the cockpit and a third strut, on aircraft centerline, in line with the wing trailing edge as starting points.  How the P.12 is exactly positioned on these would be a element of balance.  I would suggest streamlining for all three struts.

[maxmwill]

Ok, thanks

[sandiego89]

.......As a ramjet would not even start below 350 mph, I then began to consider an air launch, with a mistel configuration being the simplest and most expeditious way to launch it. So, then began the search for a likely candidate. To make a long story shorter, I realized that a twin tail might be the best configuration, as the flame from the ramjet would be easily 10 feet long(three meters).....

I do like the air launch idea, and you may be set on mistel, but don't rule out belly or wing drop as it is inherently safer, and perhaps even more simple and expeditious.   Just start the ramjet after the drop, so you would not have your concern of the flames hitting the launcher aircraft.  It could even be released at a speed less than ramjet start speed, and pick up speed in the dive. I imagine she would pick up ignition speed very quickly after the drop.  So that would considerably widen the range of launcher aircraft. As ramjet thrust comes on quickly it would be tough to design the pylon and time the release- I imagine starting a ramjet while still attached to the launcher aircraft would get rather exciting    

Many parasite aircraft started their engine after the drop (X-1, X-2, X-3, X-15, Ohka, Skyrocket, etc, etc)

Just for thought, please not to derail- happy whiffing  

[zenrat]

If your plan was for an operational mistel combination where the mother aircraft would make repeated launches then how about a single, solid aerofoil section support.  After launching the P12 it would like rather like the mother aircraft had a conning tower.

[Tophe]

I realized that a twin tail might be the best configuration, as the flame from the ramjet would be easily 10 feet long(three meters), so I found that the best plane for the job would have been a Heinkel He-280, as this fighter prototype had been consigned to simply testing.

I was clapping my hands reading "twin tail", but the He-280 has 2 fins on a single tail, not like the 2 tails of He-111Z and twin tail of Ar-340.
Anyway, the ramjet feature is just words you have heard about, you can imagine this is a little turbojet instead, so no need to start at high speed. Yes?

[jcf]

The He 280 doesn't have much weight lifting capability:
Empty weight: 3,215 kg (7,073 lb)
Loaded weight: 4,280 kg (9,416 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 4,300 kg (9,470 lb)

The weight and drag of the P.12 mounted on top of the, not very big, He 280 would be problematic for not only takeoff
but also climbout and acceleration. The combo may not be fast enough to reach ignition speed for the Lorin ramjet.
At the least you'll need RATO units for takeoff and an extended span wing might help, or perhaps an He 280Z zwilling
that'd give you four engines, although you'd probably want to extend the aft fuselage as well.