Marty_d Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 This is incredible - it's done its maiden flight! https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/giant-six-engine-aircraft-takes-off-for-first-time/11001476 More pics and video here: https://www.space.com/stratolaunch-flies-worlds-largest-plane-first-time.html 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippydiesel Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Can anyone tell me why the horizontal stabiliser(s) are not joined. The way it is now just looks wrong, aesthetically & structurally. I cant argue my aesthetic observation, that's just my view. Structurally ,it looks like any unequal stresses on the fuselages, will twist the two fuselages around the joining wing - cant be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgmwa Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Can anyone tell me why the horizontal stabiliser(s) are not joined. The way it is now just looks wrong, aesthetically & structurally. I cant argue my aesthetic observation, that's just my view. Structurally ,it looks like any unequal stresses on the fuselages, will twist the two fuselages around the joining wing - cant be good. I've wondered the same thing. The centre section between the two fuselages must take a lot of bending and torsion that you would think would be reduced if the tails were joined. Still, maybe there are more complex resonance modes if the tails are joined that might affect its effectiveness as a rocket launch platform. Having just one connection point near the centre of gravity is simpler in that all the forces have to go through one main structural member, and maybe that improves stability. Who knows, but I'm sure there will be a good reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippydiesel Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Like you, I assume there is a good reason - hope someone can explain. When there is one point of contact/joining of any structure(s), to take all the potential loads, it is usually massive. Several points of contact normally allows for a stiffer lighter structure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 For what it's worth, I guess this is not some passenger transport in the air 20 hours a day for years. They'd be using it maybe once every couple of months, on a day with near-perfect conditions and staying well away from any turbulence. There'd be no RPT-style fast climb after takeoff. Basically it would be babied so that airframe stresses SHOULD be kept to a minimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippydiesel Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Yeah! BUT They have gone to a lot of trouble to design this monster- why not join the tail? - there must be a reason ?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 Rocket blast? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thruster88 Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Yeah! BUT They have gone to a lot of trouble to design this monster- why not join the tail? - there must be a reason ?????? It may be the same reason as on the Transavia airtruk, loading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippydiesel Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 It may be the same reason as on the Transavia airtruk, loading Please expand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thruster88 Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Please expand The loader is driven in between the tails on the airtruck, so mabye the space craft is presented the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippydiesel Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 The loader is driven in between the tails on the airtruck, so mabye the space craft is presented the same way. Might be considered a little erotic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now