Atomic Aircraft

Kev wrote:
Yep, when I was a kid, I remember building a (Revell?) model of a
prototype atomic bomber. We were so convinced back then that we'd
have atomic-powered everything... both automobiles and rocket ships to
the moon.

Circa 1960 I built two different atomic-powered bomber models. One was
by Aurora and had a single engine and a parasitic fighter for defense;
the other, by Hawk, had two engines on the wingtips, canard stabilators
and a pair of parasitic fighters. The closest anyone came to building
a real one was when a working reactor was flown in the bomb-bay of a
B-36 in 1955 to test the feasibility of a lightweight reactor with
minimal shielding. That was when little was known about the long-term
effects of even low radiation doses; atomic bombs were also being
considered for use in massive excavation projects such as dams and
canals. Imagine the fallout!

"quietguy" wrote in message
oups.com...

Kev wrote:
Yep, when I was a kid, I remember building a (Revell?) model of a
prototype atomic bomber. We were so convinced back then that we'd
have atomic-powered everything... both automobiles and rocket ships to
the moon.

Circa 1960 I built two different atomic-powered bomber models. One was
by Aurora and had a single engine and a parasitic fighter for defense;
the other, by Hawk, had two engines on the wingtips, canard stabilators
and a pair of parasitic fighters. The closest anyone came to building
a real one was when a working reactor was flown in the bomb-bay of a
B-36 in 1955 to test the feasibility of a lightweight reactor with
minimal shielding. That was when little was known about the long-term
effects of even low radiation doses; atomic bombs were also being
considered for use in massive excavation projects such as dams and
canals. Imagine the fallout!


I stand corrected, it was a B36 not a B29...

Jay B

"quietguy" wrote in message
oups.com...


Circa 1960 I built two different atomic-powered bomber models.

Shouldn't that read, "Circa 1960 I built two different models of
atomic-powered bombers." Otherwise I have to ask, do you glow in the dark
now?

("Gig 601XL Builder" wrote)
Shouldn't that read, "Circa 1960 I built two different models of
atomic-powered bombers." Otherwise I have to ask, do you glow in the dark
now?


"Let's go up to the schoolyard and blow up models with firecrackers."

"Naw, we'll simply shut off the reactor core's main 'coolant valve' in my
B-36, then sit back and watch what happens."

Ok, but if I get radiation sickness, I'm telling mom!"

(...you could still do that kind of thing in the 60's, and early 70's.
Actually it was encouraged - "Don't blow those things off around here, the
baby's sleeping. Why don't you run on up to the schoolyard if you're going
to be making a racket!")


Montblack

"Montblack" wrote in message
...
("Gig 601XL Builder" wrote)
Shouldn't that read, "Circa 1960 I built two different models of
atomic-powered bombers." Otherwise I have to ask, do you glow in the dark
now?


"Let's go up to the schoolyard and blow up models with firecrackers."

"Naw, we'll simply shut off the reactor core's main 'coolant valve' in my
B-36, then sit back and watch what happens."

Ok, but if I get radiation sickness, I'm telling mom!"

(...you could still do that kind of thing in the 60's, and early 70's.
Actually it was encouraged - "Don't blow those things off around here, the
baby's sleeping. Why don't you run on up to the schoolyard if you're going
to be making a racket!")


Ah, yes. The good old days before bicycle helmets and the when children were
told to be home by the time the street lights come on. And yes too we were
given medium order explosives and told to go have fun.

My wife and I were talking just this morning how as children my friends and
I would have tortured any kid who was wearing a bike helmet.