Westland Whirlwind

[Jschmus]

Mr. G has chosen the Westland Whirlwind for this month's update of Air Vectors:

http://www.vectorsite.net/avwhirl.html

Scroll to the bottom and check out some of the speculative designs.  Some of 'em look awfully familiar.

[Maverick]

Interesting that the author has suggested they are of his own devising??

Regards,

Mav

[rickshaw]

Interesting that the author has suggested they are of his own devising??

Regards,

Mav

I don't think he actually does, Maverick.  Reread what he says.  He makes no claim to originating the concepts.

[Stargazer]

I don't think he actually does, Maverick.  Reread what he says.  He makes no claim to originating the concepts.

No he doesn't. But it surely wouldn't hurt if he linked Tophe's website or at least the What If thread he took it from... 

[rickshaw]

I don't think he actually does, Maverick.  Reread what he says.  He makes no claim to originating the concepts.

No he doesn't. But it surely wouldn't hurt if he linked Tophe's website or at least the What If thread he took it from... 

I agree.  He should at least have mentioned him by name.  Considering he goes to considerable pains to list all his other sources...

[Maverick]

Rick,

Here's the direct quote from his site:

"I have to add as a footnote that modeler came up with a "what if" concept based on the Whirlwind, the "Singlewind", which was a single-engine Whirlwind with an asymmetric layout. I have to give the modeler points for imagination and ingenuity, though I do wonder if he was certifiably crazy. Of course, having embraced the craziness, I had to think: Well, if we can have a Singlewind, then why not a Whirlylightning? Or a Twin Whirlwind? Or a Wasp radial Whirlwind?"

I've underlined the specific mention that these designs are allegedly his.

Can't see the confusion there??

Regards,

Mav

[rickshaw]

Maverick, you have to be read that very carefully.  His language does not explicitly state, "I created" or "I thought these particular designs up".  His language is IMHO ambiguous though and it could be taken that he implies he was the originator of the designs.  It may well be that he thought of them independently.  Afterall, they are largely logical extensions of the basic Whirlwind design - which is why others also originated them.  It may sound like hair-splitting but its what academic plagarism cases are often won or lost on.

[Maverick]

Rick,

I'll have to agree to disagree.  If anyone asked me what the statement meant or implied, it would be pretty simple, to me.  Whether someone else took a different view of it is the joy of the English language and its inherent ambiguities.  Such ambiguities are the very essence of the lawyer's craft I guess, which is one reason that a lot of people hold them in such disregard.

Regards,

Mav

[Stargazer]

having embraced the craziness, I had to think: Well, if we can have a Singlewind, then why not a Whirlylightning? Or a Twin Whirlwind? Or a Wasp radial Whirlwind?

Being an English language teacher and translator by profession (and though NOT a native English speaker), I have to say that I never saw any ambiguity there, though I can understand why reading it too quickly could give that impression.

So allow me to rephrase what the guy said in a less ambiguous way: "Once I accepted the fact that we were in a crazy whiffing world, I came to the following conclusion: if a Singlewind is possible, why not a Whirlylightning? Or a Twin Whirlwind? Or a Wasp radial Whirlwind?"

[Maverick]

Stephane, I guess that the issue is that he doesn't say he's not the originator of the art, but equally so, he doesn't say he isn't which leads to the ambiguity in the first place.  Even with your very eloquently transcription, that ambiguity still exists.

Regards,

Mav

[rickshaw]

One has to be careful about interpretation.  Perhaps my reading is unduly legalistic but thats just my bent.  I tend to look for explicit statements before ascribing motivation to someone, otherwise it is very much a case of relying upon perceptions of intent.

[GTX]

Two seat nightfighter perhaps?



Regards,

Greg

[Maverick]

Needs an AI radar 'arrowhead' methinks.

Regards,

Mav

[James]

Always thought that the Whirlwind would make a great night fighter.

[grayman]

Needs an AI radar 'arrowhead' methinks.

Just thinking on this...radar to the nose (thimble-nose radome?), cannon moved to a belly pod/hump to do away with muzzle flash, and slipper tanks on the wings...