Nuclear powered aircraft - it happened! Watched a TV programme on it a few years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_aircraft Glad that idea got grounded. But I have always been in awe of this endurance record for flying - Robert Timm and John Cook remained aloft 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, 5 seconds from December 4th 1958 to February 7th 1959 in a Cessna 172. They refueled in air by lowering a rope and hoisting a hose up from a fuel truck while one driver steered down long straight roads in the Mojave desert and another operated the gas pedal to match speeds with the aircraft. They also hoisted supplies and occasionally water for a sponge bath. The flight was terminated when the engine deteriorated to the point that they could no longer climb away from the fuel truck (1,558+ hours continuous running). The Cessna 172 hangs from the ceiling of the baggage claim area at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas; a small display commemorating the record flight is in the museum area overlooking the baggage claim area. If you pass through Las Vegas this is the wonder to go and see! Mike in snowy England [email protected] www.ercoupe.co.uk Alon A2 Aircoupe A-188 G-HARY -- On 7/1/10 18:57, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: > Popular lore holds that the USAF tried to develop a steam plane powered by a > nuclear reactor, fifty years ago. The hope was that it could stay airborne > indefinitely. > Didn't work out. > Dave Winters >
