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Johnny Pneumatic
1st March 2005, 06:54 AM
Check out this (http://fanwing.com/) aircraft concept technology. What do you think?
Darat
1st March 2005, 06:57 AM
First reaction - is this real? It looks like a fan heater stuck on a remote control plane!
Johnny Pneumatic
1st March 2005, 06:59 AM
Originally posted by Darat
First reaction - is this real? It looks like a fan heater stuck on a remote control plane!

Yeah it's real. I saw the model flying on the Science Channel, that's where I heard about it.
edthedoc
1st March 2005, 07:03 AM
I'd like just one simple figure please! What was the thrust to weight ratio for the model?

It does look incredibly inefficient with lots of drag from the frame around the fans.

What advantage does it have over conventional aircraft.

Any links?

Looks cool though.
Mr. Skinny
1st March 2005, 09:10 AM
Originally posted by edthedoc
I'd like just one simple figure please! What was the thrust to weight ratio for the model?

It does look incredibly inefficient with lots of drag from the frame around the fans.

What advantage does it have over conventional aircraft.

Any links?

Looks cool though.
Agree with ed. Also agree it looks cool...kinda like a reel lawn mower with a vertical stabilizer added.

Wouldn't all the exposed fan blades be a foreign object damage (FOD) nightmare?
PixyMisa
3rd March 2005, 07:25 PM
That's nothing. Now, this is mowing the sky (http://ambientirony.mu.nu/archives/2004/11/reason.php).
TeaBag420
3rd March 2005, 08:16 PM
Because I know absolutely nothing about aeronautical engineering, I agree with everyone in this thread.

I especially agree with ed, who asked "any links" in response to the original post, which included, and in fact was about, a link. Any links?

C'mon, let's all hit ourselves in the head with hammers! Who's with me?
rwguinn
3rd March 2005, 08:34 PM
the link, if you check it all out, has several videos of the RPV (Radio Control) model.
Ther concept is not dissimilar to the "suction" boundary layer control stuff of several years ago, which NASA and some others played with...
LostAngeles
3rd March 2005, 08:53 PM
"...And yea, I thought I asked ye to mow the heavens." (http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2001-01-08&res=l)

That's hideous and neat all at the same time. I'd love to see it in action.