Development Highlights
November 1950 Air Trails
November 1950 Air Trails
November 1950 Air Trails Cover - Airplanes and Rockets Table of Contents

These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

It's hard to imagine a time when contemporary news on aircraft development included the Convair B−36 Peacemaker bomber. The maiden flight was just 11 years before this piece appeared in a 1950 issue of Air Trails magazine. I have always wanted to build a control line model of a B−36, but like so many other some-day projects, it will probably never get done. A guy named Joe, who lives at the end of my street here in Erie, Pennsylvania, was a B−36 crewman (I think he was a radioman) during the Korean War era. Joe is in his 90s now, and drives a Ford Mustang. Vanderbilt University professor Franklin Farra has an interesting wall-wood flying wing sailplane that he plans to fly someday. Based on the fact that there are none like it on the circuit today, the concept probably never took off (pun intended). It might make a interesting scale model project.

Development Highlights

Jet pods of the production B-36s - Airplanes and Rockets

 

 

 

Jet pods of the production B−36s will be equipped with doors to protect the engines from foreign objects when not in operation.

 

 

 

 

engine nacelles can be carried by B-36 - Airplanes and Rockets

Four complete engine nacelles can be carried by B−36 in these pods under wings

De Havilland Heron, British 4-engine feeder-liner - Airplanes and Rockets

De Havilland Heron, British 4-engine feeder-liner. Cruising speed is 160 mph.

British Gloster Meteor NF.11 - Airplanes and Rockets

Jet night fighter. British Gloster Meteor NF.11 adapted from standard fighter for night duty. Plane has large radome in the nose, a two-place cockpit for pilot and radar operator, and can carry extra fuel in a large belly tank to extend operational range.

Finnmark 5A all-metal Norwegian flying boat - Airplanes and Rockets

Finnmark 5A. An all-metal Norwegian flying boat specially designed for Arctic climatic conditions. Carries 14 people. Span 55'-9". Engines P&W Wasps of 600 hp each. Maximum speed, 190 mph.

Aero-Commander by Aero-Design & Engineering Corp - Airplanes and Rockets

Aero-Commander by Aero-Design & Engineering Corporation, Culver City, California. A new executive transport. Span 43'-10"; engines two Lycomings, 190 hp each.

T-6 Captivair used at Randolph AFB - Airplanes and Rockets

T-6 Captivair used at Randolph AFB for familiarization of cadets with aircraft prior to flight instruction.

Flying Wing Sailplane by Vanderbilt's Franklin Farra - Airplanes and Rockets

Flying Wing Sailplane designed by Vanderbilt University's Franklin Farra. shown in cockpit on the right. First exhibited during National Soaring Meet in Texas. Construction is entirely of wood, covered with fabric reinforced plywood. Pilot has to extend arms in wings to control craft. Tail cone fits over occupant's legs. Span 25'-4", length 7'-4". Was not flown. All control surfaces are at the wing tips.

Kahru 48 Finnish four-place personal plane - Airplanes and Rockets

Kahru 48. Finnish four-place personal plane designed to be used on wheels, skis or floats. Powered by a 190 hp Lycoming engine. Span 37'-10", length 25'-9". Speed 140 mph. Range over 400 miles.

 

 

Posted December 29, 2018