Once flew from Newquay to Ballykelly (NI) in a Lancaster with a smashed navigators astral dome. Seagull strike, real air conditioning !! That was back in 1952, (National Service).
There are two programmes on the subject of Future Flight that are now available on BBC iPlayer in the Discovery series. The link is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002w557
Interestingly, we have already had reports about the advanced Project Aurora which Jane's Defense Weekly writer Nick Cook has broadcast and written about. It is reported as using a pulse detonation engine which produces an unusual "balls of cotton wool" contrail. Irrespective of whether Aurora actually exists, I am sure that the US military has aircraft under secret development that are highly advanced just as the B2 and F117* were kept secret a couple of decades ago.
*I was actually able to stand next to and touch that sinister-looking aircraft at RAF Fairford a few years ago when it was on static display and it's an awesome piece of kit to behold.
Some of us asked before for a science and technology subforum but we got told there wasn't the interest. Problem is that even if we had one it would get swamped by the intelligent designers and conspiracy nuts!
Anyway, there seems to be lots of private interest now in hypersonic aircraft with the aim to get international business types around the world more quickly and I expect that private development will soon catch up with the military's programme.
Originally Posted by Mandark: “Some of us asked before for a science and technology subforum but we got told there wasn't the interest. Problem is that even if we had one it would get swamped by the intelligent designers and conspiracy nuts!
Anyway, there seems to be lots of private interest now in hypersonic aircraft with the aim to get international business types around the world more quickly and I expect that private development will soon catch up with the military's programme.”
Ideally, Mandark, we would see private investment in new civilian aircraft but the development costs could be prohibitive without the involvement of either Boeing or Airbus.
Indeed, Boeing regrettably cancelled their Sonic Cruiser* (it would have been a really nice-looking aircraft) which would have travelled at Mach 0.98 and cut journey times across the Atlantic by an hour or two. That leaves the fastest civilian passenger aircraft as Cessna Citation X which can travel at Mach 0.92.
Jet: When Britain Ruled the Skies 1: Military Marvels
BBC 4 21:00-22:00 22nd August
Should be worth watching as it deals with the classic British jets - Canberra, Meteor, Valiant, Vulcan and the Lightning (hope they mention the Buccaneer too)
Originally Posted by Eddie Badger: “Jet: When Britain Ruled the Skies 1: Military Marvels
BBC 4 21:00-22:00 22nd August
Should be worth watching as it deals with the classic British jets - Canberra, Meteor, Valiant, Vulcan and the Lightning (hope they mention the Buccaneer too)”
The Canberra is remarkable because it had a long lifespan as an aircraft due to its use as a high altitude reconnaissance plane during the Cold War.