Any guesses

[frediv]

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A fictitious aircraft that co-starred in a star-studded film that proved to be rather prophetic.
Model approximately 1/72nd scale.
Any guesses?
FGH

[hrtpaul]

No idea on the movie Fred but that thing looks cool

[tor lives]

Is it the Reindeer airliner????? And if I recall Jimmy Stewart played it' designer.
TOR

[RayS]

You got it Ray, The Rutland Reindeer from 'No Highway in the Sky'

Nice result Fred!

[tor lives]

Here she is in a still from the movie

http://impdb.org/images/thumb/3/39/NHIT ... ifax_2.jpg

TOR

[Adam the Akrodude]

Another wonderful model Fred - note to Ray - please get another large table at Expo!

What were they thinking? I'd do an about face and scream "I ain't flyin' in that thang!". What is with that goofy tail? Was that the source of any in flight issues? Please tell me Jimmy Stewart got it down safely! Engines look interesting - a bit like the "un-ducted fan" concept.

I once visited Jimmy Stewart's town of his childhood - Indiana, Pennsylvania. At least that's what the locals claimed. Legendary pilot himself. Not far away was the town where "Punxsutawney Phil" lives - anyone see the film "Groundhog Day"? Got to see Phil in his little hutch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil

Interesting region. The Amish are everywhere driving around in their horse and buggies. The locals love "loose meat" sandwiches and also love their guns! Kind of freaky visiting the the local mall and going into Wall Mart and seeing the "Sporting Goods" section - all guns. Witnessed two locals shopping there - wearing full camo pushing shopping trolleys with brand new 12 Gauge gats c/w ammo - kind of gets your attention! Different world.

[tor lives]

Old Phil doesn't have a real good batting average.....he is only right 39% of the time .
As to the Reindeer Airliner....yeah, an interesting design that's for sure. I think you are right Adam in that the engines look like an early form of unducted fan, and those multiple horizontal stabs , not sure what that is about, might be for structural redundancy in case ya loose one!!
TOR
PS: ya right about a big display table next year at Expo....it's getting bigger than Ben Herr (get the movie reference , although I don't think there were any aircraft in Ben Herr)

[frediv]

Correct, the Rutland Raindeer from No Highway a 1950s film.
Obviously a film studio 'wannabe' aircraft designer's concept of a modern (1950s) airliner. It would be interesting to know what Neville Shute (Norway), author of the book on which the film was based, thought of the aircraft. He was an accomplished aircraft designer and co-founder of Airspeed Ltd. I suspect the grotesque back end was meant to be a poor representation of a deer's head and antlers. The story centred on the calculated fatigue life of the tail section hence the prophetic reference to the later Comet fatigue problems. Of interest, the Raindeer was built up from a retired Halifax C. Mk VIII airframe.
FGH

[tor lives]

the Raindeer was built up from a retired Halifax C. Mk VIII airframe.FGH

That's amazing....your vision and creativity never ceases to amaze me Fred.
TOR

[frediv]

Not the model Ray, the 'real' Raindeer. Halifax C Mk VIII, G-AJNW. The model consists of a Perspex tube, modified Dakota wings and scratch built bits and pieces.
Fred