The Flying Machines of Unconventional Means GB - Discussion

[NARSES2]

This is the place for your general chat

[McColm]

I've always wanted to build a tilt-winged C-130 and now is my chance to do it 

[tigercat]

Would CAM tech work for a WW2 ZELL .

I suspect  it might be too bulky ?

[PR19_Kit]

OK, what's 'CAM Tech' then?

[Weaver]

Guessing that CAM = Catapult Armed Merchantman

[tigercat]

Yup that's the one .

[strobez]

OOoh... this looks like it might be the perfect spot to try the Fanjet from the Macross anime that I've been thinking about for a couple of years....  Is that unconventional enough?

[The Wooksta!]

You're all thinking too small and too conventional.

Either the Revell Hannebau or the larger Squadron one.  Or there's the Pegasus)?) TR-3B

[strobez]

Wait... I changed my mind.  Do we have to know HOW it flies? Or can we just say it does and leave it at that?  If so I'm going to build the Dr. Lao's flying jar machine thingy from the ancient anime TV show Future Boy Conan.  It's been on my list of Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli related builds for a while, and since I started moving forward on my Ohm build, I uncovered some of the supplies I had amassed in anticipation of the build.  Seems like a good place to try it out.

[Weaver]

Kinda related question: does it have to fly by credible aeronautical principles, or can it be completely fantastical?

The reason I aks is that the term 'flying machine' makes me think of things like this:








(those arn't hot air ballons BTW - they're copper spheres with a vacuum inside them...)

[PR19_Kit]

Wearing my Moderator's Hat, and before consultation with my esteemed colleague Mr. NARSES2, I'd say ALL of those idea are admissible.

So go for it, you lot!

[zenrat]

OK, what's 'CAM Tech' then?

Collapsed Anti Matter.  A material commonly used as a Spacecraft weapon in Iain M Banks' Culture universe.   


For this GB my main build will be a Fairey Rotodyne 2.0.  As side builds I may dabble with one or all of the following; an autogiro, an ornithopter (with working "flap" - that will take a bit of thought), a racing ekranoplan, a flying car and something silly involving bits and pieces from the parts boxes.

(those aren't hot air balloons BTW - they're copper spheres with a vacuum inside them...)

Vacuum dirigibles are another Sci Fi staple.  In one concept lift is generated by vacuum "filled" buckyball spheres.

This may be one GB where Eric has as many entries as Dizz...

[loupgarou]

Beg your pardon, but the rules gave me some doubt.
At the beginning, the basic idea was "vertical take off", but now I see: "unusual or unconventional at the time it was conceived. ..., Helicopters and other rotary types"
But TODAY helicopters are NOT unconventional. So a modern day what-if helicopter is allowed or not? Or only pioneer helicopters (let say till late forties)?

[Weaver]

Beg your pardon, but the rules gave me some doubt.
At the beginning, the basic idea was "vertical take off", but now I see: "unusual or unconventional at the time it was conceived. ..., Helicopters and other rotary types"
But TODAY helicopters are NOT unconventional. So a modern day what-if helicopter is allowed or not? Or only pioneer helicopters (let say till late forties)?

I'm NOT a moderator, but I think this clause may clarify things:

If you have an idea for something that gets off the ground (or tries to) by methods other than the vehicles forward motion causing air to travel over an aerofoil surface then it’s probably included.

So anything that isn't a fixed wing being pushed forward through the air is probably okay.

[Weaver]

Ladies and gentlemen, Albert Robida:


From here: https://mashable.com/2014/10/01/albert-robida-opera/?europe=true

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Robida