YOU THINK THE A380 IS BIG?

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:54 am

Did that pencil sharpener fly?

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:07 am

Thanks for putting me straight Paul about it being the counter at work, and you are welcome about the compliment. It is a very cool counter.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:47 am

The sharpener is a great example of "style first". At least the shape does not compromise its function.

But an aerodynamic pencil sharpener? It's pretty silly and yet quite beautiful at the same time.

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:04 pm

Boeing have a project under development called the BWB - Blended Wing Body - which is not altogether dissmiliar to this concept. Worth checking out if you're interested.

Of course, Northrop built the YB-49 in the late 40's & she was quite a looker as well.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:08 pm

"It always reminded me of one of those old Flash Gordon films."

Ever see Flesh Gordon?

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:10 pm

"...travel was assumed to be slow, so comfort was an important issue..."

That also explains why everyone drives LA Chevys (Mercedes) and other luxury cars in So Cal.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:11 pm

"But an aerodynamic pencil sharpener?"

We need to study the air turbulence behind the sharpener while it is in use to see if the design helps or hurts the airflow in the room, or if it will take off if you spin the handle too fast.

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:21 pm

I just had to look that BWB (Blended Wing Body) up. Here it is:

http://www.twitt.org/bldwing.htm

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:36 pm

OK, while we're off in this direction, anybody ever hear of the USSR's airfoil water skimmer called the Ekranploan?

This monster was in development for quite awhile and finally killed just before production was to start. It was never meant to actually fly; merely skimmed the water. Read more about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekranoplan

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:13 pm

"It was never meant to actually fly; merely skimmed the water"

Kinda like the Spruce Goose, huh?

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:22 pm

I think that Boeing blended-wing thing died on the vine. They're concentrating now on a more manageable size with increased fuel efficiency (787 Dreamliner). They also canned plans for a near-sonic airliner that looked great.

Paul W., the Ekranoplan came in a couple of sizes, one quite a bit smaller that I believe went into production.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:05 pm

If it was only being built to skim water, couldn't they just use a boat?

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:13 pm

Interesting, Paul...I thought the BWB was sort of an ongoing project at the Boeing Phantom Works. It's had a number of different incarnations over the last 10-12 years or so. Anyway, it's a unique idea & is pretty neat looking.
The 787 is already in production so you could be right.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:54 am

It looks to me like a A380 is big enough to hold an International Rickenbacker Confluence.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:59 am

Richard, great idea! With stage for jamming! Around the world with Rickenbacker.

...Dean