General Dynamics Convair Models 200 / 201 / 218 Sea Control Ship fighters

[R_K_M]

Despite looking like F-15 intakes, these were probably not variable intakes, right?

 

[fightingirish]

Some pictures showing a Convair Model 200 wind tunnel or an engineering modell were posted recently at SDASM Flickr Archives. IMHO here the three most interesting pictures:

https://flic.kr/p/2p3Qm51

View: https://flic.kr/p/2p3Qm51

https://flic.kr/p/2p3Mwq8

View: https://flic.kr/p/2p3Mwq8

https://flic.kr/p/2p2od2B

View: https://flic.kr/p/2p2od2B

 

[RAP]

Images from another older Ebay offering that I failed to win.

 

[Archibald]

Wonderful !

 

[R_K_M]

Some things I noticed: the model 200 had a significantly higher thrust at takeoff (~37.5 klbs) than it's maximum thrust in level flight (~28.1 klbs). The same is true for for many VTOL/STOVL designs like including the VFW VAK 191, Mirage III-V, Do 31, Yak-38 and Yak-141. Meanwhile the F-35B and Harrier both have the same max thrust at takeoff and level flight (Harrier because they don't have an AB, F-35 because its fan happens to add about the same thrust as its AB). I am not sure if/how much that helps in STO, but it does mean CTO and VTOL are a lot nearer. (edit1: I should say "installed thrust", obviously actual thrust differs depending on flight conditions) (edit4: I am fucking stupid, the Harrier had the water injection thingy which increased thrust by 50% for 90 seconds)

Additionally I don't quite buy the the "the lift engines are dead weight, therefore the F-35 lift fan is better" argument. RR/Allision were designing lift engines with a 20:1 TW back in the 70s. The lift fan system also weights a shitton ("dead weight"), very possibly more than lift engines would. The lift fan probably has other advantages, e.g. better fuel economy in VTOL or better lifecycle cost. edit3: D'oh, the lift system has also a cooler exhaust and doesn't melt carrier decks as easily.

And lastly, the F135 has a very low bypass ratio, which means that if you think about the whole engine system, the F-35B goes from a "high" bypass design in VTOL to a low bypass design in level flight. Meanwhile the Model 200 would go from low bypass at VTOL to "high" bypass at level flight. Not sure that meany anything though, never mind what it means.

Edit2: on another note, the 30klbs MTOW figure is obvious bullshit imho unless you are in a high and hot scenario. The harrier does that, with a significantly lower thrust and as a smaller plane.

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

If you have some deep pockets, this is currently selling on Ebay. Gotta admit though, it's a definite catch. Not only do you get a rare model, you get some rare docs as well. It's a win-win :

Convair V/STOL Model 200 Prototype Factory In-house Rare Like Topping Model

Item description from the seller:

As found, pictures to determine condition. To include rare relevant unclassified documents dated 26 Feb, 1973 and original Executive Summary. Free shipping and discounts may apply. Making room for other models. The model is 14” long.

Convair V/STOL Model 200 Prototype Factory In-house Rare Like Topping Model | eBay

Making room for other models. The model is 14” long.

www.ebay.com

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Nice. I took the liberty of adding better quality images to your post.

Its a lovely model and some interesting documents, hope it finds a good home with a forum member

 

[Archibald]

"All I want for Christmas is yooooooou, wooooohoooooo, baby..."

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Nice. I took the liberty of adding better quality images to your post.

Its a lovely model and some interesting documents, hope it finds a good home with a forum member

Thanks! Yeah, actually did save the pics from eBay. Unfortunately they didn't save as jpg's and were unable to be uploaded here. So I went back and took screenshots which I then uploaded with my post.

Thank you, though.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

An hour to go and 'just' $300 US. Not too bad.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

US $739.99. Sold.

 

[uk 75]

Courtesy of the Sir George Cox Collection is this model of the US Marines version.

 

[Spino]

Somehow I get the feeling the Marines would have wanted tip rails for Sidewinders, but I might be wrong.