Airacobra, Kingcobra, and Airabonita Ideas and Inspirations

[jcf]

The USN L-39 was used for low-speed handling research on swept wings, it wasn't about
exploring performance improvements. They had other projects in hand for that work.

[kitnut617]

The USN L-39 was used for low-speed handling research on swept wings, it wasn't about
exploring performance improvements. They had other projects in hand for that work.

Yeah, I know that Jon, I was thinking along the lines of an 'in-service' derivative ---- 

[kitnut617]

Weirdly, the Bell Model 39 used modified P-63 outer wing components somehow rearranged into that swept form. The Kingcobra also had the advantage of having a really narrow centre section - maximizing how much swept span you got. By comparison, the FR-1 had a much wider centre section. That wouldn't stop you from applying sweep to the Ryan's outer wing panels but with a reduced swept span. Of course, your whif gets around that if you adopted the entire L-39 wings 

The Kingcobra fuselage break point also proved fortuitous when the L-39's tail moment arm was found wanting. The FR-1 had a similar construction break but any rear fuselage extension would be somewhat complicated by that break being linked to turbojet engine access. Again, with your whif, the R-2800 would balance c/g for any rear fuselage extensions required.

Stephen, while matching up parts and comparing things on another project of mine, I found that if you angle back a P-51H wing, it has the same plan form and size as the swept wing F-86A wing. All it needed was the leading edge extended (towards the fuselage) or trailing edge extended (towards the wing tip).

[Empty Handed]

A delta wing L-39 could be interesting. Either tailed or tailless.

Another notion was a continuation of the pursuit-biplace series (at least a little bit further). Basically a P-63 with the 2nd seat where the Allison used to be, either with the engine up front or perhaps a twin (using Westland Whirlwind wings as I have those spare). The Curtiss V-1570 should fit in a Peregrine's dimensions. Could be developed into a nice little light attacker later.

Sorry for waffling on.

[jcf]

The USN L-39 was used for low-speed handling research on swept wings, it wasn't about
exploring performance improvements. They had other projects in hand for that work.

Yeah, I know that Jon, I was thinking along the lines of an 'in-service' derivative ----

There'd be no advantage to having swept-wings on a P-63 or Fireball based aircraft,
neither could fly fast enough.

[apophenia]

... either with the engine up front or perhaps a twin (using Westland Whirlwind wings as I have those spare). The Curtiss V-1570 should fit in a Peregrine's dimensions...

Yeah, that Conqueror was a compact little puppy, wasn't it! The Peregrine (and Kestrel) had a smaller displacement, but was a smidge wider and longer. Dry weight for the GV-1570 was about the same - 1,015 lb (so in between the Kestrel and Peregrine).

[jcf]

Direct Drive Conqueror.

[apophenia]

Nice    Now I'm imagining that Conqueror dropped into an ur-Airacobra (or maybe a mid-engined Consolidated A-11?).

[GTX_Admin]

I may have asked before but does anyone know of a 1/48 conversion kit to make the original XP-39:

[raafif]

Bell Model 3 "conventional".

[GTX_Admin]

Different

[jcf]

Realistically an XP-39 would be better done as a full kit rather than a conversion kit as you'd
need an entire new fuselage to do it correctly. They made a lot of changes to make it into a
usable production aircraft.