The Flying Machines of Unconventional Means GB - Discussion

[PR19_Kit]

But TODAY helicopters are NOT unconventional. So a modern day what-if helicopter is allowed or not?

Yes.

[Weaver]

Vacuum dirigibles are another Sci Fi staple.  In one concept lift is generated by vacuum "filled" buckyball spheres.

I seem to recall one old picture of a craft that was lifted up by bottles of dew, the idea being that since dew rises in the morning, it can presumably take you with it...

[Dizzyfugu]

I'll also take the opportunity to tackle two projects: one is from my personal series "Things to make and do with a Hawker Hawk" (well, series is a little exagerrated, since, from my many ideas, only one has seen the light so far!), and the other one will be a Soviet tiltrotor attack thing. Muahaha!

Another option might be a "Duey" attack helicopter from the Dougram anime series - there's one somewhere in the stash...




And/or: I might tackle a "Maverick"/"Bushman" or "Roundfacer" airborne combo from the same series, I have both kits (vintage originals, though) in store, too:

[NARSES2]

Wearing my Moderator's Hat, and before consultation with my esteemed colleague Mr. NARSES2, I'd say ALL of those idea are admissible.

So go for it, you lot!

And so would I

But TODAY helicopters are NOT unconventional. So a modern day what-if helicopter is allowed or not?

Yes.

I did think about this when I was trying to draw up the rules and given that in the origional suggestion for inclusion in the GB Poll they were mentioned, then yes they are included. As Weaver mentions they get included via my

"If you have an idea for something that gets off the ground (or tries to) by methods other than the vehicles forward motion causing air to travel over an aerofoil surface then it's probably included" clause.

[loupgarou]

Wearing my Moderator's Hat, and before consultation with my esteemed colleague Mr. NARSES2, I'd say ALL of those idea are admissible.

So go for it, you lot!

And so would I

But TODAY helicopters are NOT unconventional. So a modern day what-if helicopter is allowed or not?

Yes.

I did think about this when I was trying to draw up the rules and given that in the origional suggestion for inclusion in the GB Poll they were mentioned, then yes they are included. As Weaver mentions they get included via my

"If you have an idea for something that gets off the ground (or tries to) by methods other than the vehicles forward motion causing air to travel over an aerofoil surface then it's probably included" clause.

Thanks.

[PR19_Kit]

Please remember that my watchwords of 'Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings' does NOT apply for this GB, as none of the entries should have any wings!

[JayBee]

Ah but Kit surely, rotor blades, propellor blades, and turbine blades are nothing more than small wings. 

[Nick]

How about those flying Jeeps of the 1940s and 50s?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafner_Rotabuggy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piasecki_VZ-8_Airgeep

The Flying Bedstead springs to mind (not that I'm likely to even consider it!) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Thrust_Measuring_Rig

[PR19_Kit]

Ah but Kit surely, rotor blades, propellor blades, and turbine blades are nothing more than small wings. 

Most of them are already 'long' Jim............. 

[kerick]

How about those flying Jeeps of the 1940s and 50s?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafner_Rotabuggy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piasecki_VZ-8_Airgeep

The Flying Bedstead springs to mind (not that I'm likely to even consider it!) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Thrust_Measuring_Rig

Then there is this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Landing_Research_Vehicle

[Weaver]

Please remember that my watchwords of 'Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings' does NOT apply for this GB, as none of the entries should have any wings!

Ah, so compound helicopters are out then?  <stir, stir stir....>

[PR19_Kit]

Please remember that my watchwords of 'Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings' does NOT apply for this GB, as none of the entries should have any wings!

Ah, so compound helicopters are out then?  <stir, stir stir....>

Only if they have VERY short wings!

[I never thought I'd ever write something like that!  ]

[zenrat]

Rotodynes, Ekranoplans and Ornithoptors all have wings and all three were included in the original definition of the GB upon which we voted.
Ekranoplans also fly (in a limited sense) due to forward motion causing airflow over their wings to generate lift.
All three are most definitely unconventional.

Vanships were practically invented for this GB.  As were the flying battleships they operate from.

[Weaver]

    THE DAILY STUN
    KITNAPPED

• Kit Spackman kidnapped
• Replaced by impostor
• Police do nothing

In SENSATIONAL news that is ROCKING the world of model-making, sources tell your soaraway Daily Stun reporter that Mr. Kit Spaceman has been KIDNAPPED and replaced by an IMPOSTOR. "He'd never say a thing like that!" insisted Mr. Harold Smith (38) of Stokeport, "who is this person and what have they done with the real Kit?" Strokeport Police have so far refused to give a comment to the media despite a number of requests.

[PR19_Kit]

Rotodynes, Ekranoplans and Ornithoptors all have wings and all three were included in the original definition of the GB upon which we voted.
Ekranoplans also fly (in a limited sense) due to forward motion causing airflow over their wings to generate lift.
All three are most definitely unconventional.

And they all have short wings (apart from Rotocranes, that is......)