WHIFS found while Google-ing

[Tophe]

Wow! Thanks a lot for these links! The Russian one with circular wing reminds me a true project, I may ask Herbert Leonard what is his opinion about it?

[abtex]

Missed one

http://alternathistory.org.ua/shturmovik-atlanticheskoi-respubliki-persecutor

[abtex]

Wow! Thanks a lot for these links! The Russian one with circular wing reminds me a true project, I may ask Herbert Leonard what is his opinion about it?

I think the text in the article said something about it being a pre-WW2 project.

In 1936, the student MAI M. Sukhanov presented to the protection of a thesis project with a ring-wing aircraft with a diameter of 3 m, with an estimated top speed of 600 km / h, which protect the engine, "Hispano-Suiza" power of 800 hp

On the basis of their degree M. Sukhanov drafted a fighter-interceptor STOL wind of this scheme.

In 1940 the project was reported to the Air Force and was considered by the scientific-technical council of TsAGI, chaired by Academician BN St. George's. Works for the production of models and blowing in the wind tunnel studies have prevented the outbreak of war and the evacuation of the institute. Model of the aircraft short takeoff and landing, known as "Koltseplan" were made under the leadership of MV Sukhanov in Novosibirsk in 1942

An important advantage of "Koltseplana" - the ability of the ring-wing to develop lift up very high (up to 43 °) values ​​of angles of attack that at a high power-to-fighters ensured the possibility of short, nearly vertical, take-off. At the same aircraft had koltseplan antishtopornymi properties, high maneuverability and unique.

VTOL in the 1940s!! That would have changed aircraft designs a little.

[RussC]

Most certainly they are what-ifs, thanks for locating these abtex, and welcome to what-if as well! Great start.

Ring wings are fascinating, and what will be almost as interesting is seeing how our builders try and make them. Warping a normal aerofoil into a ring by meams of stress or heat or combination is going to be a real stretch of the art. There are ring wings made of flat portions in the Luft 46' Wespe and Lerche designs but not smooth rings (yet).

 A pure ring could be done by wrapping around a form and I would do it in cardmodeling by taking strips on heavy paper and wrapping with glue and then shaping. This could also be built up with thin styrene sheet cut to strips.  Another might be cutting a slice of schedule 40 pvc pipe and just having an all day dremel-fest on it.

 That oval wing ups the trickyness a bit more but a oval form could be made or found.

 Other rare and what-if designs have centered around (pun) a ring - wing, where the ring is in the flat plane. There were some 1920's and 30's experiments with both biplanes and monoplanes, in fact a ring-wing even showed up in the film "Those magnificent men in their flying machines".  

[Stargazer]

Do these count as WHIFs?

And why shouldn't they?? Welcome aboard, abtex!!

[PR19_Kit]

Ring wings are fascinating, and what will be almost as interesting is seeing how our builders try and make them. Warping a normal aerofoil into a ring by meams of stress or heat or combination is going to be a real stretch of the art. There are ring wings made of flat portions in the Luft 46' Wespe and Lerche designs but not smooth rings (yet).  

How about using a SNECMA Coleoptere wing as a basis? It would only suit smaller aircraft in 1/72 scale but a larger one in 1/144.

Of course you end up with a wingless Coleoptere fuselage then...................... hmmmmmmmm 

[TsrJoe]

really nice find there especiall the Sukhanov design, a slice of plastic drainpipe would be ideal for circular wings, for the oval wing forcing in a template then panning over with a heat gun or even immersing in boiling water should help reshape it.

[Caveman]

How about using a SNECMA Coleoptere wing as a basis? It would only suit smaller aircraft in 1/72 scale but a larger one in 1/144.

Of course you end up with a wingless Coleoptere fuselage then...................... hmmmmmmmm 

Straight winged coleoptere any one?

Certainly



from http://www.aiaa.org/tc/vstol/unbuilt/snecma/

[Merv_P]

http://atomic-annhilation.blogspot.com/

Don't think this site has been mentioned here before.

Real and WHIF designs scattered through a record of the Cold War fever of the 1950s and early '60s.

[dumaniac]

Abtex

you got some good ones there

Bernie

[raafif]

love that Russian cammed Lanc & Spits

 

The other Russian Lancaster isn't a whiff but Real -- 3 lancs were left in Russia from the Tirpitz raid & the Ruskis made 2 fly again.

[Scooterman]

Do these count as WHIFs?

Ah how we forget.  That's one of my favs from Sotoolslinger.  Miss him around here.

[perttime]

Actually there were what-if Gnats I think, there were a few in USN markings used in the comedy spoof movies made of Top Gun called "Hot Shots" about 20-ish years back.

[McColm]

I'll have to dig that movie out and watch it!!

[marek]

http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=183062&page=1