Bob,
Fine build (and quick)!? The FG HO-229 is one of their best (imo) from a build perspective. Despite some of the funky shapes of the pieces when flat, they fold and curve to the final shapes very well. The tissue paper was a smart idea. Without some internal bracing the model squishes easily. The 229 was/is a beautiful design - graceful and scary at the same time. With enough development time to make it work, it could have been formidable. The combination of surprise, speed and physical appearance would stun. I think today's aircraft lack visual impact and that cannot be ignored. If we look a at F-14, F-15, B-2, F-117 - these look like they'll hurt. The Raptor - pretty, and in use deadly, but there's no visual psychological impact. I'm going to disagree with the sensationalized history this aircraft has become, though. The majority of "flight time" testing was performed using the glider prototypes. Powered flying wings, to this day, are not inherently stable platforms and require almost total commitment of the pilots attention to fly, let alone employ the wing in a battle/bombing mission. Even as a high-altitude bomber, the Northrop flying wing left much to be desired for stability. The B-2's of today could not even fly without computers to read and adjust the control surfaces on a second-by second (or less) time-frame. Low-level flying (to approach the English coast) is a tricky and exhausting skill even in a conventional plane. With the instability of the flying wing (at that time in history), achievement is questionable. The Northrop "recreation" project seemed rather one sided. They were looking to prove the concept workable, not evaluate the pros and cons and then arrive at a decision. It was geared towards the sensational aspects of the idea. It was a "trite" treatment for me. JoeG -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, Jul 6, 2009 12:01 am Subject: [Papermodels II 38095] HO-229 1945 First flown in January 1945; the test program showed the 229 to have outstanding speed and handling characteristics. Chances are this plane would have been vertually undetectable by radar. Our B-17 crewmen would have had a terrible time keeping this Horten designed twin jet flying wing from zipping through their formations. Several production versions were nearing completion when the US Army captured the 299 factory in April 1945. ???? With all the renewed interest in the HO-229 such as the TV coverage of the Northrop replica build causing discussion among the WWII veterans I decided to put a Fiddlersgreen paper model together for a possible short presentation before the B-17 Combat Crewmembers organization meeting on the 12th of this month. (I will be in Las Vegas Tuesday through Thursday, returning Friday so I had to hurry and finish the model.) The? model's wing span is about 10 and a half inches. I stuffed the fuselage with tissue to help hold its shape.? Photos attached. Bob Penikas ************** Looking for love this summer? Find it now on AOL Personals. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Papermodels II" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Papermodels?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
