Artist impression for Fairchild XC-120

[hesham]

Hi,

an artist impression for Fairchild XC-120,notice the different between
the aircraft which was actually built.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%202124.html

 

[Skybolt]

Thanks Hesham! This is the picture that inspired Alessandro Marchetti in september-october 1947 (besides seeing the Miles M-68 at Farnborough) in modifying the very traditional SM-105 in a detachable fuselage design.

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Fairchild XC-120 Packplane from San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4559099259/

 

[frank]

You know, if this drawing was in color, I'd swear it was an old Aurora plastic model box art!

Artist's impression of Fairchild XC-120 Packplane from San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4559099259/

 

[RanulfC]

You know, with today's air situation both with passengers and security being issues that is I wonder if this might not be worth a 'revisit' by aircraft designers....

Was there any specific issue with the type? (Modular planes in general?)

Randy

 

[Skybolt]

The idea has resurfaced time and again. Originally, the problem was that a traditional configuration had better performances viz a comparable (equal GTOW) modular one. Later, I suspect it is only a problem of investments in traditional ground handling equipment.

 

[taildragger]

The idea has resurfaced time and again. Originally, the problem was that a traditional configuration had better performances viz a comparable (equal GTOW) modular one. Later, I suspect it is only a problem of investments in traditional ground handling equipment.

Modularity itself tends to impose a weight and volume penalty but practical considerations would make this worse. Modularity becomes more useful the further the detachable pod can be separated from the aircraft. Illustrations often show detachable pods being used as hospitals or being towed down roads by trucks - that sort of use would require much heavier construction than is typically used in aircraft. A detachable pod that has to be loaded/unloaded or used at the airport would bring limited benefits. Back in the 60s, air cargo theorists envisioned aviation being integrated into intermodal cargo systems (as I recall, the 747 main deck is sized to accommodate 2 standard shipping containers side by side), but the weight of these boxes is impractical for airfreight and aviation-weight cargo containers would be quickly reduced to scrap by maritime, truck and rail handling. The same conflict is one of the hurdles (I'm sure there are others) facing proponents of flying cars / roadable airplanes. Flying is tough, but it's different than hitting a big pothole or being backed into by a forklift.

 

[hesham]

Hi,


was that artist drawing the Fairchild XC-120 or not ?.


By the way,this site has many Air Trails magazines;


http://www.capricornbooks.ca/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=33554

 

[lark]

Frank Tinsley interpretation of the Packplane concept so to see...

 

[hesham]

Frank Tinsley interpretation of the Packplane concept so to see...

Thank you my dear Lark.