15 votes

Weird Wings: The Boeing YC-14 and the McDonnell Douglas YC-15

4 comments

  1. [4]
    updawg
    Link
    I figured I'd kind of be the change I want to see in the world and start sharing some of the content that I enjoyed on reddit that I think would be a good fit for Tildes. I've decided to start...

    I figured I'd kind of be the change I want to see in the world and start sharing some of the content that I enjoyed on reddit that I think would be a good fit for Tildes. I've decided to start with planes that I posted to reddit instead of the truly weird planes.

    The Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) project was intended to replace the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport in United States Air Force service with a new aircraft with improved STOL performance. Increased need for strategic airlift led the Air Force to cancel the AMST program and seek a larger airlifter. Under the C-X program, the YC-15's basic design would become the successful McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) C-17 Globemaster III.

    The YC-14 definitely has a super weird appearance--which is an attempt to avoid having the jet engines ingest debris--but I think the YC-15 is pretty weird given what actually exists in the real world. Because this program was cancelled, we still use the C-130, and the YC-15 was developed into the C-17, the YC-15 basically looks like the lovechild of the C-130 and the C-17. It's like a puppy with all the features of its parents but in a smaller form factor with weird proportions.

    11 votes
    1. gowestyoungman
      Link Parent
      Im not as into jet STOL but recently have watched a ton of small plane STOL competitions. Fascinating stuff watching a plane rev up and take off in one plane length and land in the same distance....

      Im not as into jet STOL but recently have watched a ton of small plane STOL competitions. Fascinating stuff watching a plane rev up and take off in one plane length and land in the same distance. Its like having the advantages of a helicopter without the complicated rotary blade and tail rotor. The modifications seem doable without a million dollar budget and they fly low and slow enough to seem a lot safer than your average Cessna 172.
      Steve Henry took off in 6 feet! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMVjYT6laKo&t=8s&ab_channel=SteveHenry

      3 votes
    2. [2]
      duran_duran_duran
      Link Parent
      There is a guy on youtube who builds all sorts of experimental aircraft, ground effect vehicles, and autonomous boats who has a video that you might like....

      There is a guy on youtube who builds all sorts of experimental aircraft, ground effect vehicles, and autonomous boats who has a video that you might like.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc7PcmAl7Ag

      Here he works with building a RC plane with odd looking wing setups for STOL.

      2 votes
      1. updawg
        Link Parent
        That's really cool! Thanks!

        That's really cool! Thanks!

        1 vote