Retro Thing

RotorWay Unveils "Affordable" New Turbine Helicopter

RotorWay has been manufacturing recreational kit-built helicopters for almost 50 years. The company has produced several thousand kits over the years. The only problem is that it takes a minimum of 350 to 400 hours to build a kit, not including the time required to properly balance the blades, get it FAA certified and perform flight testing. 

Enter the RotorWay Eagle 300T, the company's first certified (ready to fly) production helicopter. It incorporates a Rolls Royce RR300 turbine engine designed for low-cost operation and high reliability (the turbine also doesn't require 100 LL fuel, which is becoming increasingly rare outside the USA).

Eagle 300T Preliminary Specs

Powerplant	RR300-B1
Seats	2
MAUW	2050lbs (930 kg)
Empty Weight	950 lbs. (431 kg)
Cargo Sling Max	500 lbs. (226 kg)
Useful Load	1100 lbs. (499 kg)
Fuel	80 US gal. (302 L)
Duration	2hrs +30 min res
Cruise	110kts/127mph
Service Ceiling	13000ft (3962 m)

The company is currently accepting deposits for the new craft, although the final price is still to be decided. All they're saying for now is that it'll cost more than a Robinson R22, which retails for $243,000.

RotorWay Eagle 300T Helicopter

Online: National Air and Space Museum Poster Collection

Six interns and a couple of volunteers at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum spent the summer scanning over 1,300 vintage aviation posters.

Intern Amelia Brakeman Kile explains, "This marks the first time the poster collection, which includes graphic art published from as early as 1827 up to the twenty-first century, has been accessible to the public as an archive, since the majority of it has remained in storage in Suitland, Maryland. The collection provides a wealth of information related to balloons, early flight, military and commercial aviation, and space flight, documenting aerospace history and technology while providing a window into popular culture."

Online: The National Air and Space Museum’s Poster Collection [via Boing Boing]

MS 760 Paris Jet: The ultimate way to fly, 1950s style

Doesn't this image paint a distinguished picture of personal jet flight in the Space Age? The MS 760 jet first flew on July 29, 1954. It was initially designed as a 4-seat communications and training aircraft. In all, 165 aircraft were built for the French Air Force, as well as Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Alas, it never caught on as a weekend civilian "getaway" vehicle because of its price and steep learning curve.

The French military retired the aircraft in 1997, but more than two dozen of these machines have been restored for private use in the USA - someone quickly figured out that these aircraft are fast and relatively inexpensive to fly and maintain. The Paris Jet has a maximum speed of about 432 mph (695 km/h) and a very respectable maximum ceiling altitude of just over 39,000 feet. It offers a maximum range of approximately 1300 statute miles (2,092 km) and an initial climb rate of just under 2500 ft/min. This definitely isn't an old Cessna 172.

A restored MS760 will cost a six or seven hundred thousand dollars, but JetSet offers fractional ownership for $60,000, which includes 25 hours of flight time per year. There's also a $1,100 monthly maintenance fee and additional flight hours will run $1,100 each. 

[October 2009 update: JetSet has reached an agreement with SOCATA for the purchase and transfer of the type certificate and associated rights for the world’s first Very Light Jet (VLJ), the MS760 Paris Jet. And, led by Captain Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, retired from the United States Navy, a new two-ship, aerobatic-formation jet air show team has been formed to showcase the MS760 for the 2010 air show season. - thanks, Natalie!]

Paris Jet design history (photos)
JetSet - Fractional Paris Jet ownership

Me 262 Project: Resurrecting The First Jet Fighter

The German Messerschmitt 262 was the first combat jet fighter. It first flew against the Allies in August of 1944, eventually racking up 509 claimed kills. The project actually pre-dates the outbreak of WWII, with the original plans drawn up in April 1939. Unfortunately for the Luftwaffe, the aircraft was delayed by problems its state-of-the-art jet engines and material shortages.

Only about 10 of these historical machines still exist in aviation museums. None are airworthy, nor would it be wise to risk attempting to restore and fly such a rare machine. For many years, it seemed that the world would never again see a flying Me 262.

Luckily, a group of American aviation fanatics had other plans. The Me 262 project was founded in 1993 with the aim of building a new series limited to five Me 262 aircraft. So far, the team has completed and flown two aircraft and a third is nearing completion at their Paine Field headquarters in Washington State.

The new Me 262 was designed to be as faithful as possible to the original. The most significant change was the substitution of twin General Electric J-85 engines (as used in the T-38 Talon) in place of the failure-prone Junkers Jumo 004 powerplants, which had an engine life of only 10 to 25 hours. To make the plane appear as authentic as possible, the J-85s are built into castings of original Jumos. This helps to maintain appropriate weight and balance in the engine nacelles.

Theoretically, the modern engines should allow the Me 262 to fly faster than any previous generation of the aircraft, but the airframe simply wasn't designed for such high speeds. As a result, the design team placed a placarded airspeed limitation of 500 mph on the aircraft. The J-85 is also 40% more efficient than the original engine, giving the new Me 262 a range of approximately 1,100 miles.

One other relatively small change was made to the landing gear, since it was in everyone's best interest to make it as reliable as possible. Apart from that, these machines are as close as you'll ever get to seeing the real thing take flight, right down to the four fearsome nose-mounted Mk 108 cannons. One aircraft is currently operational in the USA, with a second registered in Germany.

STORMBIRDS presents the Me 262 Project

Boeing Unveils Budget Stealth Fighter

Times are tough everywhere these days. If you're having trouble balancing the nation's air defense budget, check out Boeing's shiny new F-15 Silent Eagle -- ideal for emerging and near-bankrupt nations (Iceland, I'm looking at you).

The F-15 Eagle first took to the skies in July, 1972. Since then, over 1200 of these versatile tactical fighters have served with a half-dozen air forces around the world. Its aggressive styling ensures your neighbors will be green with envy when you park a squadron or two in front of the presidential palace.

From Boeing's press release: "The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our international customers' anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, as well as for large and diverse weapons payloads," said Mark Bass, F-15 Program vice president for Boeing. "The innovative Silent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs."

Boeing has completed a conceptual prototype of the CFT internal-carriage concept, and plans to flight-test a prototype by the first quarter of 2010, including a live missile launch.

Boeing F-15 Stealth Eagle [via Gizmodo]

Build Your Own Sopwith Pup Biplane

As a child, I spent hours in an inconspicuous garden shed somewhere in Oxford building plastic model kits. Spitfires and Bf 109s were popular among my schoolmates, but I was strangely drawn to the kite-like form of WWI aircraft. The Sopwith Pup was my absolute favorite. There was something endearing about its simple shape, and I doodled squadrons of marauding Sopwiths on any scrap of paper that fell within arm's reach.

Airdrome Aeroplanes in Holden, Missouri manufactures a broad range of WWI kitplanes, including the Fokker DR-1 Triplane, various Nieuports and -- wonder of wonders -- the stunning full scale Sopwith Pup pictured here.

A deluxe airframe kit costs $12,495 and includes everything from the rudder and fuselage to the engine mount and cowling. You'll need to add an extra $195 to get your hands on the machine gun kit. If you're skilled, it will take about 400 hours to turn a few boxes of parts into a flyable airplane.  Power comes from a decidedly modern 110 hp Rotec R2800 7-cylinder radial engine and there's room for basic instruments in the single seat cockpit.

Officially known as the Sopwith Scout, A total of 1,770 Pups were manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company between 1916 and 1918. The Pup proved to be a nimble combat aircraft and dominated the skies when it arrived on the battlefield in October 1916. However, it was quickly outclassed by formidable new German aircraft and was pulled from combat in the face of mounting losses a year later. The Pup went on to have a second life as a capable training aircraft.

Sopwith Pup Pics

The Goodyear Inflatoplane

The Goodyear GA-466 Inflatoplane was an improbable rubber aircraft designed for the United States Army as a compact rescue vehicle. The idea of parachuting a rubber airplane kit into hostile territory is ludicrous, especially when you consider that you'd need to be a trained pilot with access to a runway to have any chance of making it home.

Still, I suppose a secret agent being held hostage at an enemy airbase might be able to overpower a half dozen ill-trained guards and force them to assemble her 740 lb getaway vehicle at gunpoint. Of course, she'd also have to borrow a few gallons of avgas and evade enemy jet fighters and helicopter gunships while cruising along at a maximum speed of 70 mph.

A total of 12 Inflatoplanes were built between 1955 and 1962 before the Army concluded there was no viable use for such a quirky craft. One of the originals is on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, should you have an overwhelming urge to witness such lunacy first hand.

More about the Goodyear Inflatoplane [thanks, Greg Lorincz!]

Celebrating a Century of Canadian Powered Flight

The first airplane to fly in Canada - the Silver Dart - took off from Baddeck Bay in Nova Scotia on February 23, 1909. Of course, the picturesque Cape Breton village is well known as the home of Beinn Bhreagh, Alexander Graham Bell's historic estate. And it should come as no surprise that Bell had a hand in the project.

Update: Supermarine Spitfire Mk26b Kitplane

We first mentioned Supermarine Aircraft in mid 2005. Over 35 of their 80% scale Spitfire Mark 26 fighter replicas are now flying, and another 40+ kits are under construction around the world.

Many potential buyers asked about the possibility of a 100% scale version. The company decided against it, simply because such a large aircraft would require significantly higher landing speeds and extremely skilled airmanship.

Instead, they developed the Spitfire Mark 26b. This 90% version offers a roomier cockpit with tandem seating for the pilot and a passenger. It has a maximum cruise speed of 170 knots and a 260 hp GM V6 engine that gives a 2400 fpm climb rate with a service ceiling of 18,000 ft.

The airframe is tested to +6 / -4 Gs, allowing limited (and fun) aerobatics such as loops and wingovers. Most of the really hard work has already been done for you, but you'll have to put in another 1200 hours of fiddly effort to turn your kit into a lean, mean playing machine. The final product will be an 90% scale easy-to-fly reminder of the original without the multi-million dollar price tag.

The company says, "The kit is sold only as a fast build option in which the metal airframe components are jig assembled at the factory. All fuselage bulkheads are pre-cut, formed and mounted on a central spine during Factory kit construction. The main spar, wing assembly and empennage sub assemblies are also pre-built using jigs in the factory. The fuselage is supplied to the kit builder as a pre-constructed assembly. This ensures structural integrity is maintained."

The modern Spitfire is extremely well-behaved. It flies itself off the ground easily and the 48 knot stall speed (clean) ensures that you'll have time to think as you pass over the fence on short final. It shows no tendency to balloon, so beautiful 3-point landings should be easy with a bit of practice.

The price for all this fightery goodness? $175,000 (Australian) gets you a 90% fast build kit. Add $45,500 for a GM ISUZU V6 naturally aspirated engine and $2,750 for optional dual controls. You'll also need to source your own instruments and paint.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk26b [Supermarine Aircraft]

Jumbo Hostel: Spend The Night Onboard A Real 747

 
Most airliners die ignominious deaths. Some are chopped to bits. Others are abandoned and forgotten, and an unfortunate few run into things at high speed and never fly again. This particular Boeing 747 entered service with Singapore Airlines in 1976. It spent a few years in Pan Am livery and finally with a Swedish leasing company before being mothballed at Arlanda Airport, just outside Stockholm.

That might have been the end of the story, had it not been for Swedish entrepreneur Oscar Dios, who decided to expand his business by parking the old jetliner just outside the airport perimeter and turning it into a hostel.

The Jumbo Hostel will cram 25 rooms with 85 beds into 3,750 square feet of floor space. Each 65 sq. ft room features bunk beds, overhead luggage compartments and a flat screen TV. The nose of the aircraft will house a reception desk and small cafeteria, while the old first class seating in the top bubble will become a conference room. Showers and toilets are located in the rear.

Nightly rates will range from 300 krona ($37) for a bed in a shared 4-person dorm to 3,300 krona ($410) for the Cockpit Suite (I'll keep the obvious jokes to myself) with panoramic view and two adjustable beds. Hostel staff will wear 1970s-style uniforms and the furnishings will evoke the burnt orange color scheme so prevalent in the jet set days.

The hostel is scheduled to open on January 15, 2009, although it remains to be seen whether travelers will be willing to shell out their hard-earned kronabucks to sleep on a refurbished airliner after a day cooped up in dingy airport lounges and cramped hospitality class seats.

Jumbo Hostel: Spend The Night Onboard A Real 747 [thanks, Karen!]

CubCrafters Reinvents Aviation History

The Piper PA-18 Super Cub was a little two-seat utility airplane introduced in 1949. It became known for its distinctive yellow paint scheme and incredible short take-off and landing capabilities. Over 9,000 were made over the next forty years or so, but rising fuel prices and advancing technology pushed it into the history books.

CubCrafters was started in 1980 by Jim Richmond. He initially rebuilt old Cubs, often modifying them to the point where they were basically new airplanes. By 2004, the company had evolved to the point where they began to manufacture their own line of aircraft, including the Top Cub and the beautiful Super Cub S2 that I have my eye on.

The $119,500 Super Cub includes 2nd-generation AmSafe Airbags for the pilot and passenger, Continental 0-200 100 HP engine, Sensenich wood composite prop, classic yellow paint scheme with black lightning bolt, composite reinforced fuselage and chunky tires. The panel is equipped with standard instruments including a Garmin SL40 VHF comm transceiver.

The performance of this little bush plane can be summed up as "classic." It has a top speed of 122 mph (103 mph cruise), a 790 fpm climb rate and a 450 mile range. Its landing ground roll is a mere 245 ft, although you'll need 415 ft to get off the ground again.The relatively frugal Continental powerplant consumes 4-5 gal/hr, meaning that it'll cost about $23 per hour to run at current 100 LL fuel prices.

CubCrafters: The Classic. Reinvented.

eBay: Own A 1956 Taylor Aerocar

Flying cars are brilliant in concept but not so great in reality. The end result always seems to be a rather awkward airplane mated to a fancy golf cart. Still, Moulton Taylor's Aerocar is pretty damn impressive. Even in the 1950s, hanger space was expensive. Popping off the wings and towing them home to the garage at the end of a flying day made a lot of sense. Being able to morph into an automobile was also incredibly convenient when flying cross-country, since it gave you a way to drive from the airport into town for your afternoon meeting at Spacely Sprockets.

This particular Aerocar -- serial number 0002 -- is powered by a 160 HP Lycoming engine and has seen 1,103 hours in the air and 303.3 hours puttering around town as an automobile. Its last annual inspection was performed in July 1976, so expect a massive amount of restoration work.

The Aerocar is the only certified airplane in history that can be legally driven on US roads. It originally carried a price tag of $25,000 and was capable of cruising at 100 mph in the air. I'd put in a bid, except for one little detail -- the starting price is a ridiculous $3,500,000. That's enough to purchase several very nice P-51 Mustangs with enough left over for a Ferrari or two.

Check out the eBay auction for lots more photos [via Gizmodo]

The Luscombe Returns to the Sky

Tom Seibold wrote to tell us about the reintroduction of the Luscombe 8, which was once considered a "sports car" among early 1950s aircraft. His story has a personal connection, too. I'll let him explain:

"For many years, I have had a picture of my father standing by an airplane--his airplane--on a snowy North Dakota day.

I recently came across a story on how the Luscombe-Silvaire Aircraft Company of Riverside, California, is starting to build Luscombe 8s--or at least a plane based on the same airframe--again. Looking at the picture of the plane on the new Luscombe-Silvaire website and comparing it with the one Dad had outfitted with skis in that black and white early-50s photo, it certainly looks to me like an 8/Silvaire...

Boeing 314 "Clipper"

It has been just over 70 years since the elegant Boeing 314 flying boat first took to the air on June 7, 1938. Pan American was the driving force behind the design, seeking a fast, comfortable and safe aircraft for regularly scheduled transatlantic service.

The 314's distinctive silhouette featured a triple tail, since early flight tests with a single vertical stabilizer demonstrated inadequate directional control. The design eliminated wing-mounted floating stabilizers in favor of stubby sponsons mounted on either side of the fuselage (these served double duty as fuel tanks). It entered service as the largest civil aircraft ever built, with an empty weight of just over 50,000 lbs and a 152 ft wingspan.

The four Four Wright Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines each put out 1,600 HP and propelled the aircraft across the ocean at a cruising speed of 183 mph. A total of 3,500 gallons of fuel gave the Boeing 314 an impressive 3,500 mile range, although it would take over 19 hours to travel that far. A variety of seating arrangements allowed a maximum of 74 passengers, or as few as 40 in reclining sleeper seats.

The 314 began regular transatlantic service with Pan Am in the spring of 1939. Flights were interrupted by the outbreak of WWII and the design was adopted for transport service by the US Army Air Force and the US Navy.

Service resumed for a short time after the war, but the tremendous technological advances in aviation during the war years had rendered flying boats a footnote in intercontinental aviation history - the remaining Clippers were sold off to smaller charter companies and finally retired from service in 1950, shortly before the dawn of the Jet Age.

Sadly, there are no remaining examples of this iconic aircraft. Only a dozen were built, although they made up for their small number by flying far and wide around the globe.

Finnair Travels Back in Time

Finnair is going retro. The 'Silver Bird' Airbus A319 will make its maiden flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen on July 30, 2008. To commemorate the airline's 85th anniversary, it's painted in the livery of the company's 1950s Convair fleet and the crew will be stylishly appointed in 1950s uniforms. A total of 60 retro flights are scheduled throughout the remainder of the year, although the aircraft will retain its historic color scheme for years to come.

Unlike the first time around, it's doubtful you'll be allowed to chain smoke a pack of unfiltered cigarettes while enjoying a scotch or two as you sail through the skies. The original Convair cabins had leather armchairs in two rows, tasty meals were eaten at tables for the first time and the airline even offered passengers the use of an electric Philishave razor.

Visit the Finnair Retro site for details [via retrotogo]