"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition
August 1954 Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men

August 1954 Air Trails
August 1954 Air Trails Cover - Airplanes and RocketsTable of Contents

These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

Take a look at the jet fighter design submitted by Lorry Burchett of Detroit, Michigan, and see if it looks somewhat familiar to you. Except for the horizontal stabilizer spanning between the twin tail booms, it reminds me a lot of Scaled Composite's ("Scaled") X-Prize-winning SpaceShipOne. This and two other 'futuristic' aircraft designs were part of a run by Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men in 1954. The chosen three are nothing like each other. First prize was awarded $50, which in 2014 is the equivalent of $434.79 (per the U.S. BLS Inflation Calculator). Scaled founder Burt Rutan, the man who single-handedly popularized canard configurations, was a model airplane builder during his youth. If I wasn't me, I'd want to be Burt Rutan.

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition

Rules governing this competition are as follows: Three-view sketches of envisioned aircraft will be required. These should be not less than 8 1/2 x 11 inches for the entire three views. Give sketches of complete airplane or space craft in three-quarter front and rear positions. Photos of a model of proposed design may be included. Information on powerplant (s), estimated performance, dimensions, and explanations of any unusual features are required. Data as to age, occupation or schooling of the entrant will be welcomed. The design may be of any type; space craft, commercial, military planes (fighters, bombers, troop transports), planes for private flyer and sporting or racing airplanes. Entry each month judged most practical or of greatest significance will receive $50; $25 for second place and $10 for third. Mail entries to Airmen of Vision, c/o Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men, 304 E. 45th St., New York 17, N. Y. The editors regret they cannot enter into any correspondence on submissions.

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition (1), from August 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets

Lightweight, carrier-borne reconnaissance fighter by Giorgio Barilari of Brescia, Italy. Powered by two turboprop engines driving two contrarotating propellers each delivering a total of around 3500 hp, plus additional thrust from turbine exhaust, This plane weighs only 6000 lbs. when fully loaded and is capable of more than 450 mph.

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition (1a), from August 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition (2), from August 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets

Rocket-turbojet interceptor by Tech. Sgt. William R. Kneller. Craft can take-off and land vertically using two-stage rockets, or by dropping one fin become a conventional aircraft. 10,500 lb. thrust turbojet is used in flight. Pilot is in prone position.

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition (2a), from August 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition (3), from August 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets

Jet fighter by Lorry Burchett of Detroit, Michigan. An unusual design featuring a pentagon wing planform. Lateral control is achieved by spoilers. It is powered by a 10,000 lb. thrust turbojet engine and is capable of 720 mph. Armament consists of four 20-mm cannon.

"ATH" Airmen of Vision Aircraft Design Competition (3a), from August 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets

SpaceShipOne "Courtesy of Scaled Composites, LLC." - Airplanes and Rockets

SpaceShipOne

Courtesy of Scaled Composites, LLC

 

 

Posted March 15, 2014