Some years ago Darrol Stinton Ltd. was asked to examine the feasibility of an attempt upon the water speed record which stood at 329 mph (529 kph) in 1979. The purpose of this paper is to present an outline of some of the thinking surrounding the project, while avoiding commercially confidential areas. Analysis of past accidents showed that in many cases they were caused by inability of craft to cope with departures from water to air and back again, through lack of aerodynamic stability. Of control authority in air there was none. We decided, therefore, that straight cross-fertilization between aeronautical and marine-craft design and technology provided the best possible solutions, with propulsion by turbojet or turbofan, using air as the prime-mover. While the Union Internationale Motonautique rules might imply that contact with the water should be maintained, this is not explicitly stated. Therefore a craft which combines the aerodynamic control and stability of the ram-wing, working in ground-effect, combined with a set of stabilising and control surfaces running in water, appears feasible. The high risk of the operation involves special considerations for pilot escape and survival, using an ejection seat and/or an escape capsule capable of life support under water. To reduce costs a modular hull was devised, using the forebody of a Folland Gnat jet trainer, combined with an engine-box based upon the BAe Hawk trainer. Vestigial wings supporting outriggers with tail surfaces, surmount a buoyant central pontoon with a heavy duty, resilient and tough planing-bottom.
Aiming for Mach numbers beyond 0.5 on water
Streben nach Machzahlen größer 0,5 über dem Wasser
1995
12 Seiten, 1 Tabelle, 5 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Aiming for Mach Numbers Beyond 0.5 on Water
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995
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