Robert McCall space plane concept

[Triton]

Artist's concept of United States Air Force space plane painted by Robert McCall found on eBay.

Was this a real concept?

Source:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Space-Shuttle-vintage-rare-US-Air-Force-Space-artists-concept-art-picture-/190614086223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c617c224f

 

[Triton]

No one recognizes this painting as a real concept?

 

[The Artist]

It kind of looks like an ASSET stretched to the size of the X-24B. At the same time, the shapes of the top side are reminding me of something European - maybe one of the Sanger concepts from the 60s or 70s. I'll have to do some digging.

 

[archipeppe]

No one recognizes this painting as a real concept?

It's definitely ASSET-connected. Could it be a Winged Gemini?

 

[Orionblamblam]

Could it be a Winged Gemini?

No.
1) Too big.
2) Doesn't look remotely like a Gemini, winged or otherwise.
3) The distance between the windows and the hatch indicate a large crew compartment, unlike the dinky Gemini.

McCall tended to paint fanciful designs as much or more often than "real" ones.

 

[Barrington Bond]

I'm sure I posted this somewhere asking about it in 2008 - cover of a book I cannot remember the name of at the moment...