Project Sea Dart
FROM ITS EARLIEST use of aviation, the U.S. Navy explored the concept of developing a water-based fighter. While recognizing the potential merit of water flight, however, the Navy had learned that hanging boats under an aircraft induced drag, causing poor performance in comparison to land-based aircraft. When later development of the jet engine eliminated such design problems as propeller clearance and water spray, the Navy's interest in water flight revived. In 1948 the decision was made to develop a waterborne fighter by competition.
Project Sea Dart
PART ONE of "Project Sea Dart" (June 1989 Model Aviation) discussed the development and ultimate demise of the Convair Sea Dart, along with some basic construction and materials-handling techniques used in designing and building this 1/9-scale model. Wing. The main spar on each detachable wing extends into a pocket in the fuselage
Part One Snipe: The Motivation
"YOU'RE CRAZY!" That's what my wife said. My friends asked, "Why on earth would you want to do that?" Even my aviation friends questioned, "What's your point? Why would you want to build your own airplane when you can buy one already built?" This, however, was no mere whim. After all, I had been dreaming about and planning for this for 15 years. All my life I had been designing and building model aircraft. Now seemed like the appropriate time to build the real thing.
Part Two: Snipe
LAST MONTH, I explained the steps required to design a full-scale home-built aircraft. I also gave the reasons why I believe a 1/4-scale RC model of that design should be built and tested. This month the design, construction, and testing of the model will be discussed.
Neutron Star
ARE YOU GETTING tired of the same old ho-hum Pattern ships that look like obese dolphins? Well, I certainly was. I decided to design a Pattern aircraft which would have the good flying characteristics of the "dolphin" ships, but with the classy appearance of the muscle machines that vie for the status of being the fastest prop-driven aircraft on earth.
