The Really Bad Idea GB

jcf · August 18, 2008, 01:43:51 PM

Quote from: Bryan H. on August 18, 2008, 12:47:12 PM
The Convair NB-36H, a nuclear-powered B-36 bomber.

A truly BAD idea! I don't think anyone at SAC or Convair thought through a the obvious what-ifs... What if your NB-36H crashes on take-off, landing or in a bad storm? What if a crash occurs over an urban area? The former SAC base, Carswell AFB is located in Ft. Worth - I'm sure other SAC bases were also located near cities. What if you have an inflight meltdown?

Bryan

The NB-36H was only a test aircraft conversion of a standard B-36, the reactor was just a payload and did not power the aircraft.
The conversion was one of two planned to support the MX-1589 project, the second modified aircraft, designated X-6, would have
actually been flown using atomic-cycle turbo-jets powered by the reactor.

The production nuke powered aircraft would have been a completely different design, the NX-2.

Jon

puddingwrestler · August 18, 2008, 03:38:43 PM

The NB36 was also followed everywhere by a fleet of planes carrying clean-up paratroopers...

tinlail · August 18, 2008, 04:10:45 PM

Wimps.

I don't even think Pluto, or Orion are bad ideas.

Not that I think they should be frequent fliers mind you ...

jcf · August 18, 2008, 04:21:29 PM

Quote from: tinlail on August 18, 2008, 04:10:45 PM
Wimps.

I don't even think Pluto, or Orion are bad ideas.

Not that I think they should be frequent fliers mind you ...

Pluto was an extremely bad idea, Orion on the other hand had great potential and could probably be made into relatively safe hardware.

Jon

tinlail · August 18, 2008, 05:04:31 PM

Well on Orion it depends on if you are talking about a ground, or space firing. I think actually that the case could be made, That low orbit is the worst, followed by atmosphere, and then deep space.

Pluto, doesn't seem so bad until you remember that after it has run, it is lethally radioactive.

Weaver · August 20, 2008, 05:20:55 AM

Subtle one: short, fuselage-mounted IFR probe on an aircraft with a tractor prop.....

Mossie · August 20, 2008, 05:35:29 AM

Well, they put 'em on helicopters so why not!

Weaver · August 20, 2008, 09:48:37 AM

Or another one to get the head's a-scratching: an amphibian conversion of a piston-fighter with a very big, very obviously fixed central float on a tall pylon, and the original retractable undercarriage in the wings......

puddingwrestler · August 20, 2008, 03:38:04 PM

That's to stop it falling over sideways if you have to ditch in a field!

MMM · August 20, 2008, 06:00:27 PM

How about Bruce McCall's aircraft?

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/way-weird/weird.php

Styyro · August 20, 2008, 06:13:20 PM

Quote from: MMM on August 20, 2008, 06:00:27 PM
How about Bruce McCall's aircraft?

Yes... I've always been perversely tempted by the pachydermous Sedlitz-Dombrowski.

Daryl J. · August 22, 2008, 08:06:06 PM

The jet BD-5/B-52 mistel proposal was always a bad idea in my opinion; it was such a waste of lawn mower wheels!

Daryl J.

SPINNERS · August 27, 2008, 02:52:53 PM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on August 14, 2008, 06:36:49 AM
In itself, the F4 isn't a bad aircraft. I just hate them because they are so mind numbingly, soul crushing DULL!

I thought that described the F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, F-zz zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

gooberliberation · August 29, 2008, 05:16:25 PM

Quote from: Bryan H. on August 18, 2008, 12:47:12 PM
The Convair NB-36H, a nuclear-powered B-36 bomber.

Even better is the Tupolev Tu-95LAL.

Radiation shielding is overrated.....

Shasper · August 29, 2008, 05:33:04 PM

Do the words "Thermal exhaust port" and "Death Star" ring a bell?

Shas