• @threelonmusketeers
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    33 months ago

    the engine and propeller completely enclosed by the fuselage—in essence, the whole fuselage was a single ducted fan

    Wow, that is pretty unique.

    • @mindbleach
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      43 months ago

      The French also tried this.

      Guns: oui. Planes: non.

      • @threelonmusketeers
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        23 months ago

        Wow, that is a rather cursed-looking aircraft design. Did it work?

        • @mindbleach
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          33 months ago

          Evidently. 141 test flights, caught fire while taking off, no reported casualties. There’s a second one in a museum that is pristine because the project was cancelled right as they completed it. IIRC the pilots did not appreciate the noise level inside the cockpit. Can’t imagine why. Doesn’t help that the canopy is not hinged: it goes over the nose.