Post by Rob ArndtPost by Mr.SmartypantsPost by Rob Arndthttp://24.media.tumblr.com/NAJN8JTZ6lai6n9w6LaX9JQKo1_500.jpg
German Adlershof ‘10000ps’ project, 1918. Rumoured to have originated
from Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin himself. Ten propellers driven by
20x 500hp engines, a wingspan of 140 metres, and a length of 72
metres…
Rob
It looks 20 years ahead of it's time.
Where's all that fuel going for the 20 engines???!!!
Rob
Inside the wings: German aerodynamacists at the University of
Goettingen under Luidwig Prandl developed new airfloils that could be
10-20% thickness/chord ratio instead of just 4-5%. This meant that
the monoplane became feasible, less wing area was needed, the thikness
meant spars could be thick enough and there was also room for fuel,
undercarriage in the wings.
I did some calculations on the giant Mannesmann Poll triplane. Given
the crew size and bomb load was the same as a Gotha the extra fuel
from this outsize aircraft should provide a range enough to at least
get to the USA or Sth America though not return. The strcuture would
only need to be slightly more efficient than the Gotha's.
