Boulton-Paul VTOL craziness

[jcf]

A few B-P notions.


(note that the drawing does not show the fan location, I'll be adding that in myself, and will update the post.)

[jcf]

More.

[zenrat]

I can't help but view lift engines as nothing more than dead weight.

[rickshaw]

I can't help but view lift engines as nothing more than dead weight.

They aren't seen that way by the engine manufacturers...   

[kitnut617]

I can't help but view lift engines as nothing more than dead weight.

Probably why you never see any aircraft in production powered like it. But I'm in total agreement with your comment, on of my main pet peeves -- dead weight being only used for 1% of the operational time (and I think that's being generous too)

[NARSES2]

True it is/was a design dead end, but that doesn't stop them looking amazing. One or two are extremely futuristic looking. I wonder if some of the prop designers on things like Thunderbirds originally worked in the aircraft industry ?

[jcf]

I can't help but view lift engines as nothing more than dead weight.

They aren't seen that way by the engine manufacturers...   

??

Nobody makes lift-jets anymore.

[rickshaw]

I can't help but view lift engines as nothing more than dead weight.

They aren't seen that way by the engine manufacturers...   

??

Nobody makes lift-jets anymore.

No, they don't.  However, when they did, they weren't seen that way, Jon.

[Captain Canada]

That's some neat stuff ! Thanks for sharing. So many ideas out there.....

[Old Wombat]

True it is/was a design dead end, but that doesn't stop them looking amazing. One or two are extremely futuristic looking. I wonder if some of the prop designers on things like Thunderbirds originally worked in the aircraft industry ?

The P.146 has a very strong Gerry Anderson / Thunderbirds vibe happening.

[Air21]

They aren't seen that way by the engine manufacturers...   

Sure, like in the F-35b the lift fan only adds value in a very narrow range of the flight envelope but it's function is essential to that very special purpose.  So as a manufacturer I get to upsell you on this magical feature, then put a premium on spares for that whole assembly because if one part of my Rube-Goldberg flying contraption doesn't work then what you have is an overweight F-35a with no gun and less fuel.

I'd bet the same bearing (naturally with different part numbers) in the lift fan is ten times as expensive as the one in the main engine just because it's running 90 degrees off orientation 

At least the Harrier could vector thrust in flight to be more maneuverable, the Lightning II not so much.

[PR19_Kit]

I'd bet the same bearing (naturally with different part numbers) in the lift fan is ten times as expensive as the one in the main engine just because it's running 90 degrees off orientation 

I installed the machine that Rolls Royce use to make the F-35B lift fan (RR make ALL the F-35 lift fans here in the UK) and the machine and the associated GINORMOUS hydraulic power supply cost something like £7-8 million!

On that basis I hate to think how much the fans themselves cost. 

[jcf]

The F-35 doesn't need to VIFF. 

[PR19_Kit]

I don't think Harriers NEEDED to VIFF, they just could, which turned out to be quite handy.

[jcf]

I don't think Harriers NEEDED to VIFF, they just could, which turned out to be quite handy.

Handy for what? Sure it was used in training exercises, however it's doubtful it would have been
a smart move during an actual combat situation with multiple adversaries, you VIFF, he overshoots
his wingman nails you because you've slowed down. Also only of use in a close-in turning fight.


A neat airshow trick, like the Sukhoi "Cobra".