Flyin' boats

[southkogs]

Read THIS article this morning and found it kinda' interesting (figured drone boats were on the way). BUT! In that article there was a link to THIS article ... flyin' Aircraft Carriers!?!

 

[JB]

Re: Flyin' boats

Both the Navy and the Army Air Corps built flying aircraft carriers in the 30s-40s.

The Navy version was basically a dirigible and the Air Corps/Air Force version was basically a B-36. Neither worked very well.

 

[64osby]

Re: Flyin' boats

I read an article many years ago about a Russian transport plane / boat. It was massive, 3 or 4 times larger than a 747, and sat in the water at low speeds and then flew at 300 mph when out of the water. It didn't fly high, about 100' above the surface. At one point they were looking to use it for commercial ferry service between ports.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Flyin' boats

I don't remember the specifics, but...........

There has been some very large 'objects' that can only fly within a measured distance to the ground because of 'ground effects', the larger air pressure produced between the object and the ground creates enough 'cushion' that the object floats, or has the appearance of flight. Attempts of gaining more altitude loose this air cushion, and the object falls, crashing.

You have seen this ground effect lifting race cars when they get sideways , lifting and blowing the cars over. Boat blow-overs are another example, all is well flying along until a little too much lift, then totally out of control.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Flyin' boats

Both the Navy and the Army Air Corps built flying aircraft carriers in the 30s-40s.

The Navy version was basically a dirigible and the Air Corps/Air Force version was basically a B-36. Neither worked very well.

I remember both of those ... the old XF_86 Goblin. Plenty of gags about that goofy thing in USAF lore Though, it did have a certain "cool" factor to it as well. I'm not sure they actually "landed" more than a few of those back on the trapeze, did they?

I read an article many years ago about a Russian transport plane / boat. It was massive, 3 or 4 times larger than a 747, and sat in the water at low speeds and then flew at 300 mph when out of the water. It didn't fly high, about 100' above the surface. At one point they were looking to use it for commercial ferry service between ports.

Totally intrigued me ... if THIS is it, it's a neat idea. I'm not sure she ever got much higher than just at the surface, and I'd sure not wanna' hit any weather in that thing ...

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Flyin' boats

Wow, that is exactly the machine I was trying to describe. Land or sea ground effect transport.

 

[64osby]

Re: Flyin' boats

... if THIS is it, it's a neat idea. I'm not sure she ever got much higher than just at the surface, and I'd sure not wanna' hit any weather in that thing ...

That's the type of craft I was thinking of. I might have been off on how high it is off the water.:redface:

Pretty cool stuff. Not very maneuverable. Would hate to be a small craft in its path.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Flyin' boats

heres a small version of the same type of craft.

Discovery Channel HD - Universal Hovercraft UH 19XRW Hoverwing

 

[64osby]

Re: Flyin' boats

nwc - That is a cool toy. Bet it is $$$$$

 

[nwcove]

Re: Flyin' boats

nwc - That is a cool toy. Bet it is $$$$$

no doubt it is out of reach for an average "toy collector"....but it does look like fun.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Flyin' boats

That's the type of craft I was thinking of...

Ground effect lift - there have been a few different attempts at using it effectively.

Pretty cool stuff. Not very maneuverable. Would hate to be a small craft in its path.

I had the exact same thought lookin' at it ...