Flying carrier in Earth Atmosphere and Gravity

[ysi_maniac]

As this thread http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,27837.0/ is preferably devoted to SciFic subjects, I want to start a new separate thread to speak about a less far fetched idea. IMO a flying battleship would be cool but it would not be so useful.

But a flying carrier conceived like a super huge seaplane with a flying deck on its back, was possible even with 30's technology. In a first conservative approach, aerial operation would be restricted to the sea plane static on water. Even in this case, the speed of deployment would be determinant (any point of the Earth could be reach in much less than 5 days, assuming a quite modest cruising speed of 180 km/h or 100 knots).

[ysi_maniac]

Some ideas I posted in aforementioned thread:

- Taking Spruce Goose and Junkers G.34 as models: 178 and 125 hp/ton respectively

- Pre WWII would look pretty sinister IMO

- 200 m long approx

- 5000 ton weight (this can be discussed)

- 500000 hp ----> 125 engines 4000 hp each (diesel, if you ask me.) About 60-70 double gondolas with standard push and pull propellers.

- tandem wings

- ...

Your ideas and comments, please

[proditor]

I keep meaning to finish off my modern version of your idea.  I also have a pre-ww2 idea, but it involves other stuff. 

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,28501.msg428009.html#msg428009

[Doc Yo]

 I think you'll want power-assisted controls

Its to ponder, alright. I can just about buy the notion working as a seaplane, but you'd almost certainly be
building it entirely of aluminium, for starters. The number of engines sounds about right, and that going to
require an awful lot of personnel all by themselves.

How many aircraft, and what type?

[ysi_maniac]

I keep meaning to finish off my modern version of your idea.

You must finish your carrier!

[ysi_maniac]

I think you'll want power-assisted controls

Its to ponder, alright. I can just about buy the notion working as a seaplane, but you'd almost certainly be
building it entirely of aluminium, for starters. The number of engines sounds about right, and that going to
require an awful lot of personnel all by themselves.

How many aircraft, and what type?

Corridors inside wings for engine maintenance.

How many aircraft, and what type? Like an escort carrier, approx.

[ysi_maniac]

A second version, based in Beriev Be-6

[deathjester]

You will have enormous slipstream and updraft problems with that design - better I think, using the trapeze system used by the RB-36.
When employed in a larger airframe, it should be feasible to carry a large number of tactical aircraft!

[McColm]

My first thought was something similar to the film ' Sky Captian', based on a flying oil-rig.

[Jschmus]

There's always the SHIELD Heli-Carrier.  Attached is concept art from the forthcoming Avengers* film.

* - That's the Marvel Avengers, not the Emma Peel variety

[rickshaw]

Why not an airship?

It was shown that the concept was feasible with the experiments undertake in the 1920s and 1930s.

You could have two semi-rigid airships, connected with a hangar in the middle.   You could either have the airship land for operations from the water, with a lightweight flight deck on top or you could have it airborne, launching aircraft via trapeze.

[Cobra]

This sounds Cool & like something out of 'Crimson Skies'!  i second the Idea of using something out of Sky Captain. that was my first Thought when i saw the header!  hope to see more, or you could go with a Carrier like featured in the Anime 'Blue Noah'! i saw the Intro on youtube. Dan

[ysi_maniac]

The airship is a good idea. But I would not use trapezes for air operations, but a flight deck; airships can be static.

[proditor]

Why not an airship?

It was shown that the concept was feasible with the experiments undertake in the 1920s and 1930s.

You could have two semi-rigid airships, connected with a hangar in the middle.   You could either have the airship land for operations from the water, with a lightweight flight deck on top or you could have it airborne, launching aircraft via trapeze.

Stop reading my mind.   

My only variation is to also include a full flight deck.  I'm hoping to start it this summer.  Got the zeps, got the carrier.   

[ysi_maniac]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_the_World_%28novel%29