The American Society of Civil Engineers has been sponsoring the student concrete canoe competition for decades, so seeing a concrete airplane is just the next logical step. Although I don't think that Boeing or Airbus are especially interested in the results...
Now when they make a lead zeppelin that flies, I'll be impressed.
I visited SDSoM when I was looking at colleges. They have a pretty awesome Mechanical Engineering program--including a 3D printer that DOES print with metal.
IIRC, the WWII Luftwaffe had a flying bomb that scooted towards its target via concrete wings.
It's not the construction materials, it's the technique, right?
"There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. Its knack lies in learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, that provides the difficulties."
Anon: Back in the dark days of the pre google internet, I do remember seeing a pic of a small hot-air balloon some ad execs made out of lead foil and a can of sterno as a stunt.
It did fly for a few minutes before the wind blew it into a fence.
Having flown several airplanes that had the glide ratio of a Browning gun safe, I can relate.
ReplyDeletePretty impressive actually.
The American Society of Civil Engineers has been sponsoring the student concrete canoe competition for decades, so seeing a concrete airplane is just the next logical step. Although I don't think that Boeing or Airbus are especially interested in the results...
ReplyDeleteNow when they make a lead zeppelin that flies, I'll be impressed.
They made a lead zeppelin that flies on Mythbusters a season or two ago.
DeleteI'd be more impressed by reports of a successful flight and landing by an abstract plane.
ReplyDeleteI visited SDSoM when I was looking at colleges. They have a pretty awesome Mechanical Engineering program--including a 3D printer that DOES print with metal.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to how Brigid actually knows the glide ratio of a Browning gun safe. It sounds like a fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteSo how long will it take to Ban Concrete Planes due to "POSSIBLE ITAR regs Violations?"
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite poems:
ReplyDeleteI made an airplane out of stone.
I always did like staying home.
"They don't so much fly as plunge."
ReplyDeleteMonty Python skit on flying sheep.
Sometimes I wonder if there is any situation, any at all, to which a Monty Python reference cannot be made in a somewhat appropriate manner.
The F-4 was proof that with enough engine you can fly a cinder block.
ReplyDeleteThey laughed when I proposed my concrete dirigible. Fools! I'll destroy them all!!! Bwahahaha!
Aw, dang.
ReplyDeleteNow I know how the guys in the original "Flight of the Phoenix" felt when they found out Hardy Kruger only designed toy models.
I was hoping for a concrete something-the-size-of-a-Kitfox, or something.
>sigh<
Maybe next year, Orville.
The plane idea, denounced as demented,
ReplyDeletestiffened my resolve to fly it cemented.
Antibubba
IIRC, the WWII Luftwaffe had a flying bomb that scooted towards its target via concrete wings.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the construction materials, it's the technique, right?
"There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. Its knack lies in learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, that provides the difficulties."
Next step: A plane made out of sheetrock.
ReplyDeleteAs Anonymous said... http://jrshirley.blogspot.com/2011/06/concrete-canoes.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteAnon: Back in the dark days of the pre google internet, I do remember seeing a pic of a small hot-air balloon some ad execs made out of lead foil and a can of sterno as a stunt.
ReplyDeleteIt did fly for a few minutes before the wind blew it into a fence.