Swift Air Racer
The Swift was a famous "Airship" class air racing 'plane. This class were unlimited in engine power and other design criteria and intended for stratospheric race courses. The competitors were launched and recovered from large airships. These also functioned as pit-stops, with arms to grapple the aircraft into hangars under the gas envelope.
Lacking landing gear helped to make the aircraft lighter and faster. With the Swift, this was carried to extremes. The cockpit featured no instruments, in order to save weight. Heat from the aeroplane's engines could be felt through the cockpit seat and throttle adjustments were made on this basis. It is believed that this is where the expression "Flying by the seat of your pants." originates.
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This design was totally inspired by these illustrations by Pablo Dominguez Aguilar.
Swift Air Racer
The Swift was a famous "Airship" class air racing 'plane. This class were unlimited in engine power and other design criteria and intended for stratospheric race courses. The competitors were launched and recovered from large airships. These also functioned as pit-stops, with arms to grapple the aircraft into hangars under the gas envelope.
Lacking landing gear helped to make the aircraft lighter and faster. With the Swift, this was carried to extremes. The cockpit featured no instruments, in order to save weight. Heat from the aeroplane's engines could be felt through the cockpit seat and throttle adjustments were made on this basis. It is believed that this is where the expression "Flying by the seat of your pants." originates.
**********************************
This design was totally inspired by these illustrations by Pablo Dominguez Aguilar.