Comments on: AT LAST — a Convertible AUTO-PLANE http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/03/23/at-last-%e2%80%94-a-convertible-auto-plane/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:12:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Myles http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/03/23/at-last-%e2%80%94-a-convertible-auto-plane/#comment-1050467 Myles Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:07:07 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/03/23/at-last-%e2%80%94-a-convertible-auto-plane/#comment-1050467 I would also worry about a tail and wings that are bolted on by amatuers in 20 mintues, they could come off in the air just as fast. People seemed to be a lot less worried about fatalities 50 years ago. I would also worry about a tail and wings that are bolted on by amatuers in 20 mintues, they could come off in the air just as fast. People seemed to be a lot less worried about fatalities 50 years ago.

]]> By: Robert Inkol http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/03/23/at-last-%e2%80%94-a-convertible-auto-plane/#comment-1050399 Robert Inkol Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:59:05 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/03/23/at-last-%e2%80%94-a-convertible-auto-plane/#comment-1050399 For a period before and following WW2, there was a great deal of interest in the idea of the hybrid aircraft-automobile. None of the resulting implementations were able to adequately balance the conflicting requirements for the two distinctly different modes of operation. The design described in the article has several highly undesirable features. The positioning of the engine at the top of the vehicle at the rear of the cabin would result in a high center of gravity, which in combination with the tricycle layout would make for exciting handling on the road - not a good thing for a vehicle that would likely fare badly in a crash. The placement of the engine immediately behind and above the heads of the occupants, would also contribute to an uncomfortably noisy cabin. Aside from this, the small diameter propeller, which presumably would be directly coupled to the crankshaft, and is positioned with much of the propeller blocked off by the cabin, would not be very efficient. Finally, unless a reversible pitch propeller is used, which would be unlikely for the time, there would be no way of backing up. Robert For a period before and following WW2, there was a great deal of interest in the idea of the hybrid aircraft-automobile. None of the resulting implementations were able to adequately balance the conflicting requirements for the two distinctly different modes of operation.

The design described in the article has several highly undesirable features. The positioning of the engine at the top of the vehicle at the rear of the cabin would result in a high center of gravity, which in combination with the tricycle layout would make for exciting handling on the road - not a good thing for a vehicle that would likely fare badly in a crash. The placement of the engine immediately behind and above the heads of the occupants, would also contribute to an uncomfortably noisy cabin. Aside from this, the small diameter propeller, which presumably would be directly coupled to the crankshaft, and is positioned with much of the propeller blocked off by the cabin, would not be very efficient. Finally, unless a reversible pitch propeller is used, which would be unlikely for the time, there would be no way of backing up.

Robert

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