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Bispro β Lockheed Model 98 Super Stardust
Published: 2011-12-14 00:21:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 7516; Favourites: 51; Downloads: 121
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Description
Tonight I'm presenting the Lockheed Super Stardust, a revolutionary VTOL passenger transport used by TWA in the mid-1960s. This caused quite a commotion when it appeared and passengers mostly shied away from such revolutionary technology, so that TWA reverted back to more traditional aircraft very soon. What a shame!!!"Don't believe everything you read or see!!"
Β© StΓ©phane Beaumort / AviaDesign 2011
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Comments: 15
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I love the idea of a VTOL-capable airliner. Besides the coolness factor, that would (*maybe*) cause a trend towards smaller airports, and in greater numbers. (Why build an airport with a really long runway when you can just bring your plane in right downtown?)
...Buuut, I can see why folks in your alternate history would be wary of this bird... I'm no aircraft engineer, but the lack of any kind of wings is just... off-putting on a plane like this. Maybe it's just the length of the fuselage...
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Sure can't blame' em!
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Cool, but it would need wings when flying horizontally.
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The ducted fans tilt to push the aircraft forward, it's the system tested successfully on the X-22 prototype... So I believe it would work in the same way here, wouldn't it?
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Just looked at the X-22, haven't looked at it in a while, always thought it had more wing than that. Never mind.
In terms of real life airliner concepts, almost every off the wall or revolutionary design gets shot down, either by the FAA or lack of interest by airlines. And sometimes even budgetary issues.
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I agree. This is so sad! I was thrilled when the Sonic Cruiser program was in the works, but then I heard the design's concept was really flawed and it would have been an underperformer... Anyway, I'm really tired of seeing all the same shapes in the sky for half a century now...
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And then the hectic time after the 9/11 attacks pretty much killed it off.
I have to agree with you, other than recognizable aircraft like the 747 and the Airbuses, a majority of airliners just look the same, and it makes them seem boring and utilitarian to me, it's why I'm more interested in military aircraft.
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Which Airbuses do you find original, apart from the 380 and the Beluga transporter? To me the general shape of an Airbus is not very different from that of a Boeing 707/757/767/777. Not very original!! I also prefer military aircraft, though I'm more interested in experimental types than operational ones. When I think of the diversity and originality of civilian aircraft before World War II (booming general aviation, flying boats, etc.) it really saddens me that aviation has become so boring...
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380 and of course the Beluga. As for the rest, I only recognize them if they have Airbus painted on the tail.
Even planes that are doomed to fail, just the idea or the look of the aircraft can be so interesting.
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Boy, I wish this were real!!! Sweet design!!! 
Have a Happy Holiday time and hopefully a great and creative 2012!!! 
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Congrats on your new civilian life, and have a great, great Holiday Season with your family and friends!!
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Thank you very much for the great compliments and wishes!
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