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**Hedons** · 10-04-2009, 07:45 AM

Flying wings and lifting body aircraft have never been off the drawing board. Their efficiencies were realized fairly early. Unfortunately lifting body and flying wing designs are inherently aerodynamically unstable. Typically the most efficient designs are also the most unstable. There have been a few semi-successful designs such as the YB-49 which was canceled due to politics. The space shuttle emerged from lifting body research of the 1960's, although it's design is more conventional than lifting body.

The Burnelli design may have been deemed too unconventional or too risky at the time. But I don't see a conspiracy here. The design was probably simply ahead of it's time.

-Hedons

10-04-2009, 07:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hedons Ribbed for her pleasure! Status: Offline Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Chicago Burbs. Delta(x) times Delta(p) is greater than or equal to h-bar over two. Posts: 4,639 Thanks: 23 Thanked 146 Times in 93 Posts	Flying wings and lifting body aircraft have never been off the drawing board. Their efficiencies were realized fairly early. Unfortunately lifting body and flying wing designs are inherently aerodynamically unstable. Typically the most efficient designs are also the most unstable. There have been a few semi-successful designs such as the YB-49 which was canceled due to politics. The space shuttle emerged from lifting body research of the 1960's, although it's design is more conventional than lifting body. The Burnelli design may have been deemed too unconventional or too risky at the time. But I don't see a conspiracy here. The design was probably simply ahead of it's time. -Hedons __________________ New and improved! Now with flushable applicator.