William Mook wrote:
This is an interesting document;

http://www.foia.af.mil/shared/media/...090218-169.pdf

Isn't that the failed Avrocar?

rick jones

Aircraft 9532
Power Plant 10450
Cockpit 1060
Total Empty 21050
Fuel 7750
Crew 200
Total 29000

With today's materials and power plants these weights may be cut by half, l=
eaving a 10,000 pound payload in this same airframe. The fuel contains 19.=
45 MJ/lb. Thus 7750 lbs contains 150.8 GJ of energy. Replacing the JetA f=
uel with liquid hydrogen which contains 64.45 MJ/lb reduces that weight by =
5410 lbs to 2340 lbs. At 0.56 lbs per gallon this increases the volume of =
the fuel tank to 4,179 gallons from 1,142 gallons. So, even allowing for i=
ncreased fuel tank volume and mass, total payload is further increased to 1=
5,000 lbs. =20

The range is intercontinental at 4,000 mph (3,470 knots) at 90,000 ft. =20

Compare this to a Learjet 60


Crew: 2
Capacity: 8 passengers
Length: 58 ft 8 in (17.88 m)
Wingspan: 43 ft 9 in (13.34 m)
Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Wing area: 264.5 ft=B2 (24.57 m=B2)
Empty weight: 14,640 lb (6,641 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 23,500 lb (10,660 kg)
Powerplant: 2 =D7 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A turbofan, 4,600 lbf (20=
.46 kN) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 522 mph (453 knots, 839 km/h) (max cruise)
Cruise speed: 484 mph (Fast Cruise 536 mph) (420 knots, 778 km/h, Mach =
0.74) (long-range cruise)
Range: 2,773 mi (2,409 nmi, 4,461 km)
Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Rate of climb: 4,500 ft/min (22.9 m/s)

Ten captain's chairs, facing outward, spaced around an 8 foot diameter circ=
le, providing seating. Retractable canopies over each seat provides direct=
access to the outside, over the radial wing, which extends to form the dis=
k shown in the document. The cabin is 5.7 feet tall. There is an 8 foot h=
emisphere atop a 5.7 foot tall cylinder and another 8 foot hemisphere below=
- to create a tank containing the liquid hydrogen. Smaller more efficient=
turbo jets in larger number provide power around the rim of the radial win=
g.

Two of the ten seats are equipped with flight controls and a heads up displ=
ay on the canopy.

--
No need to believe in either side, or any side. There is no cause.
There's only yourself. The belief is in your own precision. - Joubert
these opinions are mine, all mine; HP might not want them anyway...
feel free to post, OR email to rick.jones2 in hp.com but NOT BOTH...