Possum Works, Skunk Works, Phantom Works, WHIF Works...

philp · May 01, 2006, 10:36:42 PM

Ok,
We all know about Lockheed and the Skunk Works. How about a little competition for Black projects by a different manufacturer...

Come up with your favorite "Black" project and let's see some ideas. These can be based on your imagination, "real" ideas that didn't come to fruition or whatever.

GTX · May 02, 2006, 02:32:21 PM

Philp,

How about some British competition in the form of the AVRO 730:

Regards,

Greg

Edit. Images resized for easier viewing.

GTX · May 02, 2006, 02:34:55 PM

Or this version:

Regards,

Greg

Edit. Images resized for easier viewing.

GTX · May 02, 2006, 02:39:17 PM

Then of course this from the USSR - the Tsybin RGSR:

Regards,

Greg

Edit. Images resized for easier viewing.

GTX · May 02, 2006, 04:08:24 PM

Hi folks,

The original images I posted were a wee bit too big to allow for easy viewing, so I have just edited the images to allow for easier viewing.

Regards,

Greg

GTX · May 02, 2006, 04:11:23 PM

Of course, there was always, the USSR's answer to the F-117 - the MiG-37

:

Regards,

Greg

GTX · May 02, 2006, 08:42:47 PM

Hi folks,

Whilst on the topic of Tsybin, how about some related creations:

And who could forget the 'Mistel' type arrangement with the Bartini A-57:

Regards,

Greg

GTX · May 02, 2006, 09:00:08 PM

Back to the British - I did always like the musings from AVPRO:

Regards,

Greg

philp · May 02, 2006, 10:26:45 PM

Some great looking aircraft.
But what would the Skunk Works be called in England, or USSR?
Budgie Works just doesn't have the right ring to it.
Maybe Owl Works?

Lets see some more.

GTX · May 02, 2006, 10:49:47 PM

Philp,

In England the workshop could be "Hogwarts" or the "Ministry of Secret Things", though I do like your Owl Works suggestion.

In the USSR, it would probably go by something like "No 154 Tractor Design Works" or something equally obscure.

Regards,

Greg

philp · May 02, 2006, 11:13:40 PM

Greg,
Would those names have been used back in the 50's-60's?
Could have been renamed after the movies came out but ...

MartG · May 03, 2006, 01:51:11 AM

50s/60s they would probably have been called the "Secret Aircraft Establishment" or something like that

Or maybe just not given a name other than where it is located.

Even today there is no 'named' equivalent of the skunk works, though people I know who live near BAe Warton tell of a distinctive sounding aircraft that only flies at night......

Hobbes · May 03, 2006, 03:15:50 AM

I think Alvis' recent EE Corona and its Russian counterpart would be prime candidates for the 'silent treatment'.
Of course, the British would have a hard time keeping such an aircraft hidden (no Area 51-type airbases in the UK), and with the Soviets, basically every design was treated as a secret. Remember the time when all the data we had on Russian military hardware were grainy pictures and a load of speculation?

GTX · May 03, 2006, 10:59:54 AM

QuoteOf course, the British would have a hard time keeping such an aircraft hidden (no Area 51-type airbases in the UK)

Of course, that would be why the British tested their creations from their secret Canadian and Australian bases

.

Regards,

Greg

GTX · May 03, 2006, 11:19:53 AM

QuoteEven today there is no 'named' equivalent of the skunk works,

I suppose the closest known entities that also have names such as the Skunk Works (though I believe that even this is officially called "Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Program" or something similar - Evan?) are these:

Phantom Works - Boeing; and
X works - Bell Helicopter.

As to if these qualify as being the same sort of organisation as the Skunk Works is up to others to argue.

Regards,

Greg