RAF Flying Wing Strategic Recon Idea

[Cobra]

Hey Guys, i was just on Google,trying to find out if the RAF ever worked on flying wing Designs. the Reason:Thought a Flying Wing Aircraft would be the Perfect Choice for a Strategic Recon Platform! if Anyone wants to Build it,You have my OK! what Say You? Thanks for looking. Dan

[kitbasher]

I suggest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_A.W.52 as a starting point for any potential whiffery.

There's a number of designs in Tony Buttler's 'Secret Projects' books (e.g. http://retromechanix.com/article/bombers/armstrong-whitworth-aw-56-jet-v-bomber-proposal-1947/).

[Cobra]

Thanks,This is Kinda what made me ask. if You want to give it a Go,Be my guest! Dan

[albeback]

Interesting!

One of the items on my list of "Whifs to do" will use the YB-49. I had intended it as a bomber but, a PR version would be just as good.

Worked out a rough idea in my head.I'm working on the premise of a reduced ( maybe 4 man) crew with the pilots in a side by side cockpit. The remaining crew in the wing compartment. Wingtip fins/rudders & ideally, I'd like to replace the buried engines with over wing mounts. 4, possibly 6 x TF-33 engines - I have the pods & pylons from an old B-52 kit.

Allan

[jcf]

Something like the YRB-49A the?

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2674

[RussC]

Hey Guys, i was just on Google,trying to find out if the RAF ever worked on flying wing Designs. the Reason:Thought a Flying Wing Aircraft would be the Perfect Choice for a Strategic Recon Platform! if Anyone wants to Build it,You have my OK! what Say You? Thanks for looking. Dan

  Since my definition of flying wing is a bit looser than some, I'll posit that they not only researched, but built and flew one, the Vulcan.

  But yes, Buttlers book on British Projects - Bombers, plus the Flying wings book from same publisher has quite a bit also.

 

[Mossie]

Beat me to it.  Several of the early Vulcan designs were drawn up as pure flying wings.  As the design evolved, it developed more and more of a conventional fuselage.


http://www.ianbottillustration.co.uk/images/avrovideos/Port-avro1.html
http://www.ianbottillustration.co.uk/images/avrovideos/Port-avro3.html

[RussC]

Interesting!

One of the items on my list of "Whifs to do" will use the YB-49. I had intended it as a bomber but, a PR version would be just as good.

Worked out a rough idea in my head.I'm working on the premise of a reduced ( maybe 4 man) crew with the pilots in a side by side cockpit. The remaining crew in the wing compartment. Wingtip fins/rudders & ideally, I'd like to replace the buried engines with over wing mounts. 4, possibly 6 x TF-33 engines - I have the pods & pylons from an old B-52 kit.

Allan

Did something like that using the big high bypass turbofans, and a yb-49 to start with.

[NARSES2]

Now that sir is a looker 

[Dizzyfugu]

I know that the RAF tested some tailless glider designs, IIRC as a basis for compact transport gliders for the continental invasion. Cannot remember the name, but is was just a small test aircraft.
There was also the tailless Manx, as well as the Miles Libellula aircraft (Which was not tailless, though, just weird).

[NARSES2]

I know that the RAF tested some tailless glider designs, IIRC as a basis for compact transport gliders for the continental invasion. Cannot remember the name, but is was just a small test aircraft.

Baynes Bat ?. Got a kit of that and the Libellula test aircraft. Thought about using the latter as a naval fighter

[thesolitarycyclist]

Some links that may be of interest

http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/flying%20wings/britain.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_A.W.52

[Mossie]

I know that the RAF tested some tailless glider designs, IIRC as a basis for compact transport gliders for the continental invasion. Cannot remember the name, but is was just a small test aircraft.

Baynes Bat ?. Got a kit of that and the Libellula test aircraft. Thought about using the latter as a naval fighter

General Aircraft flew several tailess gliders as well.  These were a series of aircraft under the designation GAL.56.  All three had the same fuselage with different wings.  There was a further development, the GAL.61 that was built but never flew as the GAL.56's were found to be unstable and the program was cancelled after a fatal crash.  Probably not the ones Dizzy means, IIRC the tailess GAL gliders were built late/post war purely as research aircraft.

More info:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4498.0/
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2006/06/stuff_eng_hrubisko_tailless.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Aircraft_GAL.56

[Dizzyfugu]

I know that the RAF tested some tailless glider designs, IIRC as a basis for compact transport gliders for the continental invasion. Cannot remember the name, but is was just a small test aircraft.

Baynes Bat ?. Got a kit of that and the Libellula test aircraft. Thought about using the latter as a naval fighter

Yes, the Baynes Bat rings something!

[Mossie]

Several have mentioned the AW.52, it was intended as a sub-scale prototype for a full size bomber, the AW.50: