We tested several stopped rotor concepts in the NASA 40x80 wind tunnel in the 1970s and were never satisfied with it. The rotor blades had to be super stiff (read: heavy) to survive without the centrifugal loads. Helicopter blades depend on centrifugal force to remain stiff and avoid flapping to the point of breaking.…

History much?

Um... Sikorsky has been working on this exact thing since 1973 with the Advancing Blade Concept (ABC), they didn’t just start recently with the X2. The ABC was the first major effort by an American flying-blender company to eliminate the flapping hinges in a co-ax helicopter to reduce the rotor spacing. The hub…

I know, right! I too ache for the good old days of American relations with The Maple Leaf State. Now it’s a real headache for Michigan kids to drive over and enjoy 3.2% beer and the 19 year old drinking age!

Agreed. It’s amazing to think that these monsters are crewed by so few sailors! I think they only have like 10 or 15 crew members, which is astounding.

Yeah, I just spent last weekend on Mackinac Island and the ferry passed pretty close to one. Back in the early 80s we used to be able to walk right up to the ships as they traversed the Soo Locks, which was really cool. You could almost reach out and touch the wall of steel as it rose or fell in the lock!

Brother!

I came here to discuss the lakers. I grew up in Michigan and loved watching them traverse The Soo and the Detroit River. And you’re right, nobody understands how big the lakes are until they see them with their own eyes! Damn inland seas!

The Maple Leaf State is nice in the winter... but I’ll hang on to my MPH speedometer and money that doesn’t have a picture of Elton John.

Wrong swing arm too?

I hadn’t realized that even the 1854 Constellation was still around! Learn something new every day!

Yeah, my history brain hurt when he typed Constellation! I wanted to believe I had somehow missed the survival of the smallest of the Original Six my whole life :(

But the CFD said the cars were ok and we all know that “CFD>wind tunnel testing”, right? RIGHT???

I always heard that The Hump was dangerous, but I just assumed it was because of overloaded WW2 planes that could barely struggle to high enough altitude to avoid the mountains. I hadn’t considered the fact that the air there must be a real mess due to the mountains. My respect for the airmen (past and present) that…

I think we all know the answer to this question...

CAN’T UNSEE.

I love celeste but I don’t know how I feel about a celeste Porsche... maybe an Alfa would be more appropriate?

You’re right. I was thinking of the 1947 Lincolns: http://www.boos-herrel.com/sitebuildercon…

1961 Lincoln knew what you meant about those hydraulics...

It’s driven from the back seat. Not joking.