Comments on: Propeller-Drive CAR has VANE Control (Sep, 1931)

By: Jari

Jari — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:04:10 +0000

“Thrust! I went over my calculations, hen, and I forgot the key element missing is thrust!”

By: Myles

Myles — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:16:07 +0000

Propellers are not as efficient as direct drive for a land vehicle. They are at least doubling this inefficiency by then redirecting this airflow sideways. I guess quadrupling the loss is more likely. I would also be surprised if it moved at all.

By: pryapart

pryapart — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:37:22 +0000

“the ability to climb steep mountain grades”…I don’t think so. I’d be surprised if the thing moves at all, much less up anything with a grade to it. And what about when it rains or snows – the aerodynamics on the vanes would be compromised. The only thing this would be good for is a nice breeze on a hot summer day. It’s interesting that we only see drawings of these type of ideas and not a working model. Yeah, msw, I can also see how fun it would be to be behind one of these things on a dirt road!

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:08:59 +0000

Your comments remind me of the legendary Volkswaffe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk52tDKELdQ

By: KD5ZS

KD5ZS — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:13:57 +0000

At least it would be relatively easy to use an air cooled engine. Hey! they did do that; it was called a VW. Home built airplanes using VW air cooled engines have been made for years.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:48:32 +0000

@Myles: I’ll see your “BS” and call more BS on the rest, too. Including “the elimination of all danger of skidding”; I’m thinking the downward pressure is pretty small and would have minimal effect . . . .

By: Jonas F

Jonas F — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:46:41 +0000

That looks like a -very- fuel efficient design! Or not..

By: Myles

Myles — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:41:58 +0000

I call BS on “utmost economy.“

By: Eamonn

Eamonn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:33:24 +0000

Never mind. Just goes to show I should pay better attention when I’m reading.

By: Eamonn

Eamonn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:31:47 +0000

Well, I suppose it’s better than one of the ones with the huge exposed blades. So to reverse does someone have to get out and push?

By: M.S.W

M.S.W — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:25:24 +0000

Would hate to be behind this vehicle on a dirt road.