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Socrux S.Ca. 129 Super Panqueca

13.7k FlyingHueman  5.0 years ago

NOTE: This aircraft has a system that uses the propellers' "thrust" as an aid for pitching. This has the unfortunate but hilarious side effect of allowing it to be supermaneuverable at very low speeds; as such, do not pull up too hard immediately after applying throttle on takeoff, unless you want to experience a Kulbit in a prop fighter.

AG 1: Drag Chute
AG 2: Jettison Centreline Stations. These are left empty, but you may fill them with what comes to your mind.
AG 3: Drop Torpedo Pair, Inboard
AG 4: Drop Torpedo Pair, Outboard
AG 8: Deactivate/Activate Pitch Augmentation System

It wasn't just during the Cold War that Socrux's Experimental Research Department was doing their madness. Nearing the end of WWII, having noticed Vought's developments in the United States, they decided to give the concept a try. Early attempts with a testbed were to prove sub-par, so an enlarged, more complex testbed was designed with some modifications. This was dubbed the Super Panqueca.

A swashplate was included on the propellers to aid in turning by providing extra pitch control. This proved effective, but did not completely solve the abysmal maneuverability of the craft. Control was difficult, but the aircraft's potential as a naval strike platform was soon realized; it was able to carry up to six torpedoes, being able to carry four comfortably, without issue.

Nevertheless, that benefit was not deemed worthwhile for all the troubles of this strange craft. The tall landing gear required by the large propellers made maintenance and access to the aircraft difficult, and did little to save the propeller blades - to this day, not a single test pilot has managed to land the Super Panqueca without smashing the poor propeller into the ground, requiring a total replacement of all propeller blades and, more often than not, of the Hartzell constant velocity system and requiring repairs to the engines. The concept was abandoned and now sits in a museum.

Spotlights

General Characteristics

  • Created On Windows
  • Wingspan 50.5ft (15.4m)
  • Length 39.9ft (12.2m)
  • Height 23.1ft (7.1m)
  • Empty Weight N/A
  • Loaded Weight 16,878lbs (7,656kg)

Performance

  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.473
  • Wing Loading 15.5lbs/ft2 (75.8kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 1,087.8ft2 (101.1m2)
  • Drag Points 10483

Parts

  • Number of Parts 122
  • Control Surfaces 6
  • Performance Cost 756
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  • Profile image
    1,249 Bobobobob

    Dude looks like the real thing

    3.7 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @Baldovino That was the inspiration, for sure, but it's not a 1:1 replica. I take a lot of inspiration from RL designs, but I usually don't do replicas, both because I don't consider my skills to be good enough to make something worthy being called a replica, and also because I like being a bit more free, having leeway to change some things, give it my own spin.

    So yeah, it's most definitely inspired by the Flapjack, but put the two planes side by side and you'll see they're not the same. I make planes just for fun and nothing else, writing up backstories is part of it.

    It's great that you mention Charles Zimmermann though, a lot of people tend to neglect/not care about the engineers behind the projects. To me, they're the soul of the aircraft, especially in the early days where you'd have one guy that essentially overlooked everything and took the decisions. His work with the V-173 and XF5U is impressive and gave us some of the most unique planes out there.

    +1 5.0 years ago
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    48.8k Baldovino

    The XF-5A from the Zimmermann mind... but, why the name change?

    5.0 years ago
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    FINALLY! A PERSON WHO SPELLS CENTRE CORRECTLY

    5.0 years ago
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    1,555 Philip1214

    @FlyingHueman ohh ok XD

    5.0 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @animations Yes and no
    It is a flying pancake, it's not the flying pancake

    5.0 years ago
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    1,555 Philip1214

    is this the flying pancake...

    5.0 years ago
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    @FlyingHueman Thank you

    5.0 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @XxHELLCAT2GOOD4UxX Sure thing.

    5.0 years ago
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    @FlyingHueman if you wouldn't mind, could i borrow the intakes for a flying wing build?

    5.0 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @SakuraSaku Thanks! I hope you had as much fun with this as I did.

    5.0 years ago
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    8,916 SakuraSaku

    really awesome!

    5.0 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @OmegaDestroyer Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed fliying it! I know I had a lot of fun building this thing.

    5.0 years ago
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    This is some of the most fun that I have experienced with a plane for a while. Very good job!

    5.0 years ago
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    1,725 SVRondo

    An awsome but fat plane. I like it!

    5.0 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @Mustang51 Thanks! the Vought "pancakes" always fascinated me. I had to do it at some point, lel.

    5.0 years ago
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    13.7k FlyingHueman

    @asteroidbook345 Imagine my shock the first time I pitched up in this thing, lmao.

    5.0 years ago
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    25.5k Mustang51

    This is really well done! I also love your choice in aircraft. Very very nice build

    5.0 years ago