Interesting Aircraft..

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Hi all -

I received an email today detailing an interesting aircraft.

The details are as follows:

The new RP-4 aircraft shown here, is being built to attack the World 3, 15 and 100 Kilometer Speed Records.

Engines: Two high performance V-8 engines power the RP-4, representing the best compromise among size, weight, power and availability. Tandem mounted, each engine drives its own propeller. The front engine drives the front prop directly and the rear engine, through gearboxes which bypass the front engine, drives the rear prop in contra rotation.

Independent fuel and cooling systems allow for single engine operation.

Propellers: Utilizing NASA Unducted Fan Technology, two four-blade propellers with variable pitch hubs were constructed. The blades consist of 84 layers of prepreg carbon fiber and are 58 inches in diameter.

Cooling: During engine warm up, thermostats cycle engine water through the oil sump heat exchanger to quickly bring engine oil to operating temperature. Once up to temperature, the thermostats then direct engine water to a series of aluminum tubes within the wing. These tubes are immersed in 50 gallons of water which carry engine heat to the wing surfaces which are cooled by the slipstream. Separate series of tubes are provided for each engine enabling autonomous cooling of either engine. Wing water can be diverted through an auxiliary radiator located in the tail cone for cooling on the ground if needed. The forced induction systems generate high inlet temperatures and induction air is directed through evaporators charged by air conditioning compressors. This system also provides conditioned air to the cockpit.

Fuel: A 100 gallon fuel cell below the wing supplies fuel to engine-driven pumps which feed the injectors.

Gear: All gear retract aft into the fuselage. The main gear articulates as it retracts holding the wheels parallel to the fuselage throughout retraction.

Wing: The RP-4 wing is one of the most complex ever constructed. Less than 3 inches at its thickest point, it nevertheless contains flaps and ailerons as well as 200 feet of tubing and nearly 400 fabricated fittings and connectors which comprise the cooling systems.

Fuselage: Built entirely of large diameter chrome moly tubing, the fuselage is skinned in 60 thousandths aluminum and is 31 inches in diameter.

Empennage: The vertical and horizontal stabilizers are, like the wing, both riveted and bonded together. The vertical stabilizer houses the nav/comm antennas as well as pitot and cockpit ventilation systems.

Performance: The RP-4 is designed to be a high performance aircraft. (really?)


Eric Hereth, master machinist, fabricator and welder, built all components of this remarkable aircraft from scratch, with the exceptions of engine long blocks, wheels, and hydraulic components.

Jerry Baer assisted in all phases of construction.


An interesting concept indeed....!

A few pics

[Brian Hamilton]

Looks like a supercharged 2,000hp garbage disposal unit!!!

[John Lowe]

Gosh, what a machine, love the contra prop, didn't know that you could still get meccanno

John

[OhioMark]

I can't imagine those wings providing much lift. Then again, I'm not an
aero. engineer so what do I know. Cool photo's! Thanks!

Mark

[SpyderMike]

looks like a modern day Bee Gee racer

[Scott Calabro]

Talk about flying on the prop !

Two BBC's .... way cool.

They could be the Venerable ORENDA V8's.

I wonder what it crosses the fence at !!!


S

[Ron Earp]

Those props don't look like real load bearings props to me. I don't think I'd climb in that thing, nope, don't think I would.

R

[Pat Buckley]

I guess I am more sure then that.

I KNOW I wouldn't.

[Ron Earp]

I wonder how the cg works out? I'm reminded of a see saw with that gear in the middle. I bet on landing flair near stall it could be interesting. I'd be scairt.

[David Morton]

I think it is really quite sexy and very cutting edge. It would merit some more investigation before I would say wether I would fly it or not. One point of interest is the horizontal stab being lower than the mainplane.
Cooling matrixes in the wings/fuel tanks are nothing new - its how we cooled the radar transmitter on the Mk111 AEW Nimrod.
On balance, with safety issues addressed, yes I'd go for it.

[BenL]

Originally Posted by Ron Earp

Those props don't look like real load bearings props to me.

The description of the props is "Propellers: Utilizing NASA Unducted Fan Technology, two four-blade propellers with variable pitch hubs were constructed. The blades consist of 84 layers of prepreg carbon fiber and are 58 inches in diameter."

I suspect those are temporary, sheet metal propellers.

[Brian Magee]

Dave

Would you fancy flying this?

http://www.crazyaviation.com/movies/CA_SU-30.wmv

Brian.

[David Morton]

Brian,
What red blooded man wouldn't ? That is just so 'cutting edge' aero, it's positively orgasmic.

[Ron Earp]

That I'd like to give a go. But heck, I'd like to give about anything a go that will manage more than a measly 1200 ft/min climb and 130 kts!

[JimmyMac]

I thought it reminded me of something I saw in Japan

[Scott Calabro]

I'm only 44 and have 2 young daughters.

I'll stay out of IVAN'S creations thank you.

Looks like a blast though.

Call me old fashioned, I'd rather ride aft seat in a P51.

Glad to hear your back David .

Cheers,
Scott

[David Morton]

Thanks Scott. Believe me, nice to be back.
Su. Tu, and Mi made some wonderful machines as well as some diabolical ones - but then didn't we as well.
If it looks right, go and give it one.
but - of all I flew I liked the DHC6 Twin Otter because of it's extreme abilities on all sorts of terrain with the most incredible STOL performance.

[Malcolm]

At the last Farnborough Airshow I saw one of those planes do the double backward sommersault. Just awesome. Previously also seen the tail walking antics. Both just so cool. Those pilots do know what they are doing but I guess I would empty my stomach by the end of the first turn!