Interesting Links

18 thoughts on “Interesting Links”

1. Gareth Jones April 13, 2012 at 6:46 pm

   RE: http://www.psfk.com/2012/04/shipping-container-hotel-rooms.html

   Does this mean we can make the RAF expeditionary? ;p
2. Gareth Jones April 13, 2012 at 6:48 pm

   Azipods appear to be the way to go, especially as ships are increasingly electric drive.
3. Gareth Jones April 13, 2012 at 6:57 pm

   RE: http://www.architectswanderlust.com/2010/03/the-arbalest-close-air-support-cascoin-vstol-aircraft/

   Been posted before, by ArmChairCivvy first I think…
4. ArmChairCivvy April 13, 2012 at 9:39 pm

   Just love it, again
   … there was another one, equally good (perhaps not for a carrier) done by an Argentine (!) architect, who one a NASA award for the design
5. Ace Rimmer April 13, 2012 at 10:34 pm

   The Arbalest looks the dog’s cajones at first glance, but closer examination highlights a number of weak areas. The advanced bi-plane configuration hasn’t been tested, although extensive work was done with ducted fans on the X-22. The rotating gun turrets are heavy and require additional maintenance in dusty conditions, why not go for fixed weapons like on the Pucara? A lot simpler, cheaper and lighter.

   The wing/fan configuration also restricts vision to below, side and rear quarters. I’d leave the Arbalest to the on-line gamers and put my trust in OV-10 Bronco’s and Super Tucano.
6. ArmChairCivvy April 13, 2012 at 10:58 pm

   Hi Ace,

   Cojones belong to a bull, but never mind…

   Have you seen the Bronco remake, with a rotating turret under the nose? I think it was even “commercially” proposed. ie. someone was willing to put up the money to start the line (it’s only a conversion, or are there enough of them around?)
   - Pucaras in good condition sell for $300k
7. Angus McLellan April 13, 2012 at 11:32 pm

   @ACC: Was that Boeing’s plan to restart the Bronco? Seems like an idea whose time has passed. Ten-fifteen years too late maybe?

   If Super Tucano is good enough for Uncle Sam’s girls & boys, then good enough for Philippines too & other possible Bronco (or Arbalest customers) surely. Seems to have done well for Colombians. And if you wanted more STOL, isn’t that one of AHRLAC’s selling points?
8. ArmChairCivvy April 14, 2012 at 12:01 am

   I thought in Columbia they were using the “AirTractor”?
   - flies slower, and has better armour
9. Angus McLellan April 14, 2012 at 12:02 pm

   ACC: FlightGlobal 2010 air forces list has 9 OV-10As in Colombian AF but no sign of AirTractors.

   Wikipedia’s Super Tucano article has info on Colombian air ops against FARC over the last few years. It appears that the Yankee dollar funded the buy.
10. Aussie Johnno April 16, 2012 at 3:20 am

    The Azipod link was interesting.
    The new RAN LPH’s (Canberra and Adelaide) use 2
    x double ended pods (1 pusher, 1 puller propellor on each pod) to acheive a sustained 20 knots.
    The pods dramatically simplify hull structure (no stern tubes, no stearn tube seals, no A frames, no shaft alignment issues.
    But I am aware that an early design exercises leading to the type 26 considered pods and they were dropped.
    Too noisy or is there some practical limit on speed?
11. Ace Rimmer April 17, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    ACC,thanks for the heads up regarding cajones. Having highlighted a few issues with the Arbalest, I felt somewhat guilty as its always easy to criticise. Could I do any better?

    Having given it a bit of thought, I came up with a Cessna 337/O-2, but with a single rear turboprop and the forward fuselage replaced with tandem seats and forward firing guns. Not as effective or innovative but a cheap COIN aircraft with a better chance of production than the Arbalest.
12. Gareth Jones April 23, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    @ Ace – Something like this?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_High_Performance_Reconnaissance_Light_Aircraft
13. Gareth Jones April 23, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    @ Ace – a suggestion for a COIN aircraft based upon the Cessna 337/O-2:

    http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/buzzard.html
14. paul g May 25, 2012 at 9:05 am

    hopefully this won’t sink off the right hand column, with all the t26 comments flying in.
    @james, thought this might interest you

    http://www.gizmag.com/lemv-first-flight/22675/
15. All Politicians are the Same June 12, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    Guys just found these on you tube, have them on CD and part 5 the beirut evac never released for obvious reasons but for non naval types a really good watch all 4 parts.
16. Chris.B. June 12, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    Linky?
17. All Politicians are the Same June 13, 2012 at 4:21 am

    Sorry Chris, Part 1 can get rest from there.
    
18. Chris.B. June 13, 2012 at 4:41 am

    Ta