Boeing Flying Wing Designs from the 30's

[GTX]

Hi folks,

If anyone is wanting some inspiration right now (unlikely I know)  here are some Boeing Flying Wing concepts from the mid 1930s.  They are all variations of the same theme and come under the Model 306 designation:

First the Heavy Bomber:








Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Now the first fighter version - the 306B single engine variant:





Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Now the Model 306C twin engined fighter:






Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Both the 306B and 306C flying together:



Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Now the Model 306A Commercial Airliner:







Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

And last, but not least, my favourite - the Commercial Flying Boat variant:




I hope you enjoy - love to see someone take on the challenge of modeling some of these (I may, one day)

Regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

They were published within the last two or three years in Wings/Airpower.

[GTX]

Evan,

Correct - Airpower, March 2005 to be exact.

Care to talk about the person credited for explaining the principles of the external elevon?

Regards,

Greg

[philp]

OK, those are pretty cool.
Alvis, have you started doing some artwork?  Those look like designs you would come up with.
Too bad they don't have any spats, Brian would be all over this idea.

[Leigh]

I love the Airliner, especially with turbo props as a military transport?

[Radish]

My goodness me.....like out of a '40s comic....fabulous  

[Maverick]

The bomber is seriously cool, a definite fave.  Reminds me of the birds in Crimson Skies....

And another thought, was was with the bs about no vertical tail surfaces.... the more informed will no doubt tell me that the B-2 is the only true flying wing without verticals, others like the B-35 & 49 having them...

[NARSES2]

They are the absolute dogs b******s - just love flying wings

It's amazing how the camo finish seems to make the bomebr look a much more modern design

Chris

[jcf]

The bomber is seriously cool, a definite fave.  Reminds me of the birds in Crimson Skies....

And another thought, was was with the bs about no vertical tail surfaces.... the more informed will no doubt tell me that the B-2 is the only true flying wing without verticals, others like the B-35 & 49 having them...

'Snot BS, vertical side area is important to aircraft yaw stability. On the XB-35 the prop-shaft housings supplied the side area, on the airframes that were converted to jet power as the YB-49 they had to add those small vertical fins to compensate for the removal of the prop shaft housings.

As to  the Boeing airliner and flying boat designs they are properly tailless designs rather than flying wings and the underslung fuselages, particularly on the flying boat, would possibly supply adequate area.

As to a "pure" flying wing...the B-2 doesn't qualify as its humped fuselage supplies some side area and at low speeds the massive landing gear doors supply increased side area for slip resistance. The B-2 only gets away with its minimal area because of the computerized flight controls.

The "purest" wings, i.e. ones with the absolute minimum of side area, to fly are probably some of the Horten gliders...but even they have some side area.

Cheers, Jon

[B777LR]

I would never ever go flying with that tailess airliner. Just not safe enough for me.