A tale to be told...

[+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,557]

RThe guns asa a velocity, don`t you think the gun is moving together with the plane?!So you can add the speed of the projectiles to the speed of the bird... But the range will be shorter in the view of the pilot cause of the fast movement. Mh hard to explain it in a no native language...

 

back to topic!! More comic pics!

[zmatt 2]

so your saying that the guns would work fine, but due to the high speeds the effective range would be less than normal? I guess that makes sense if the projectiles are already starting at mach 3 before they are fired. Although I bet it would be interesting to see what would happen to a round that has such a high velocity, but no contact with the atmosphere and is then thrust into it at 1600mph more than it was already going. I would imagine the wind resistance, friction and other things would hamper its performance.

Edited March 5, 2009 by zmatt

[+GrinchWSLG 24]

I'm not sure about M3.0 but at M1.0 you can fire the rounds and remain clear of the flight path as long as you aren't descending. The rounds will rapidly lose velocity until they reach the optimum aerodynamic velocity, and then would lose velocity normally as the energy bleeds off (I think...).

[FastCargo 412]

[Stratos 3,191]

I really like how this one is going

[+SkippyBing 8]

so your saying that the guns would work fine, but due to the high speeds the effective range would be less than normal? I guess that makes sense if the projectiles are already starting at mach 3 before they are fired. Although I bet it would be interesting to see what would happen to a round that has such a high velocity, but no contact with the atmosphere and is then thrust into it at 1600mph more than it was already going. I would imagine the wind resistance, friction and other things would hamper its performance.

 

You think that's bad, try and figure out how fast the bullets from the tailgun on a B-58 go.

[Lexx_Luthor 57]

At 70k feet, you are doing near space combat, near vacuum. Cannon shells keep going fast like Duracell Bunny. Gravity is still the same, but shells keep there speed for a long time.

 

If I recall right ( )...one F-86 pilot in Korea regularly got 0.50cal kills at over a mile in the low density air at 30k+ feet, to the surprise of squad mates who couldn't understand it.

[+Jug 99]

Interested in? Heck man, he was there. Dave is LeMay reincarnated!

And a good man at that. Got your six, Dave.

 

All things act funny outside of the drag of the atmosphere. Me included.

Edited March 5, 2009 by Jug

[FastCargo 412]

[Tannethal 2]

Splash one?

[CowboyTodd41 134]

 

This panel is so rad!

[FastCargo 412]

[FastCargo 412]

What next ?

 

An A-12 (OXCART), hurriedly converted into a YF-12A (at least one year in advance) comes to the rescue ?

 

Pfffffft...please. I never try to be that predictable with my interests.

 

 

FC

[MigBuster 2,884]

XF-108??

[+Gunrunner 314]

Oh yes, that's a Rapier. ^^

 

Except that in the comic version it seems to have the canards of the early version.

 

Anyway, that already looks sweet. :)

[charlielima 328]

Rapiers vs Foxbats?

Hmm?

:ph34r: CL

[MigBuster 2,884]

Rapiers vs Foxbats?

Hmm?

:ph34r: CL

 

who can out turn who at mach 2 :)

[serverandenforcer 33]

who can out turn who at mach 2 :)

 

Considering the design of the main wings of the rapier and the wing's overall surface area, I would think it would be able to be a bit more manueverable at higher altitudes than the foxbat.

[MKSheppard 4]

who can out turn who at mach 2 :)

 

F-108 was designed to cruise at Mach 3, just like the B-70. Otherwise, it would have been useless as a escort fighter.

[FastCargo 412]

Okay, now the cat's officially out of the bag....

 

First, the comic.

 

All images come from a comic (graphic novel) called Tigers of Terra, from the Families of Altered Wars series.

The artist and writer is Ted Nomura.

The publisher was MindVisions initially, eventually switching over to Antarctic Press.

 

Second, the model.

 

Started about a month ago...an amalgamation from several sources, including a vacu-form 1/72 model kit (primary reference), several books on the B-70, and an article from an old Airpower magazine (thanks dwcace!). Decided to go with this iteration because the plastic model was in this configuration, and it closely matched the mockup with the square windows. I wanted to include a canard version, but the more I messed with it, the less happy I was...could never quite get the canopies and canard to integrate in a realistic fashion. Will not have thrust reversers, but will have a drag chute. Will also include the 'clamshell' ejection seats, and, surprised no one has noticed yet, the GAR-9/AIM-47 missile (in the screenshot).

 

FM currently based on Julhelm's A-5 Vigilante (similar size and general configuration...just a little light) and the F-14 cockpit is currently in use (fits 'inside' the model really nice and had same general capabilities).

 

And it can do this:

 

 

Yep, a functioning rotary missile bay.

 

And I have to say, I always thought Rapier was a silly name for this aircraft...a rapier is generally a svelte, thin, thrusting type sword...you know, something you see typically in a swordfighting movie.

Claymore or the more general term Broadsword (yes, I know a British aircraft uses this one) I thought would have been more appropriate name...a brutish, two handed type sword that says 'Not only am I going to kill you, but I'm going to beat you over the head first and kiss your girlfriend" in the cigar chomping, Spike cable channel type way. Svelte is for metrosexuals...

 

FC

[+Spectre_USA 7]

Maybe have on of the 3 rotaries have an AGM76, for the ultimate stand off HARM as well!

 

2 swarms of Bears, and then EWR site to clear a retaliatory strike, then back home for tea and medals, eh?

 

[FastCargo 412]

And finally, she will be a part of the SWOTUSAF series of aircraft.

 

FC

[kct 5]

Sweet thing FC. These should knock up the interest of Lexx with these birds, they totally fit his interests.

 

Can there be a SUPER PHANTOM II of the Cold War variety?

[Atreides 144]

Superb FC !

[Stratos 3,191]

Excellent mate!!