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Aerostyle Model 17B (1934) [Remastered]

119k DestinyAviation  7.7 years ago

Notes:
-Helpful tip: Use camera 1
-Fun to fly
-A "remaster" of sorts

History: Designed to improve upon the Model 17A, the Aerostyle Model 17B featured slightly more powerful engines as well as a better gunsight for the pilot. The airframe was also made more aerodynamic, allowing the aircraft to go even faster than the 17A (which had a top speed of around 250-260mph). The 17B also sported two extra 0.303 machine guns in the nose, though on later models all four would be swapped for 0.50 caliber machine guns. The 17B made a total of 85 test flights, with 84 of them being successful. The last test flight, however, showcased the aircraft's shortcomings with disastrous results. In 1936, test pilot Julia Reichenberger, one of two female pilots employed by Aerostyle, took off from the headquarter's private airfield. The aircraft she was flying, the Model 17BC (standing for version B variant of said version C), was fitted with two 20mm cannons in the wing roots. When one of the guns jammed, it exploded, igniting the fuel in the wing and in the fuel tank directly behind the cockpit. The right wing was severed from the aircraft, and the resulting inferno killed Julia instantly. What remained of the 17BC crashed into a nearby field, and the Model 17 program was subsequently canceled. In total, the series conducted 213 test flights, and had only one fatal accident along with two emergency landings, both of which the pilots walked away from (one of those pilots was Julia).

General Characteristics

  • Created On iOS
  • Wingspan 51.3ft (15.6m)
  • Length 37.6ft (11.5m)
  • Height 13.7ft (4.2m)
  • Empty Weight 11,201lbs (5,080kg)
  • Loaded Weight 16,876lbs (7,655kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 0.199
  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.237
  • Wing Loading 38.3lbs/ft2 (187.0kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 440.6ft2 (40.9m2)
  • Drag Points 8755

Parts

  • Number of Parts 196
  • Control Surfaces 16
  • Performance Cost 760
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  • Profile image

    I like this style

    7.7 years ago
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    8,281 12ocketguy

    Love the tail design and color. The cockpit looks great.

    7.7 years ago
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    39.1k Weaverfish

    @DestinyAviation Finger cramps, I know that feeling. It's just a really clean distinct design, lots of good curves. The cockpit view you've got here is something I've been striving to achieve, but I feel like the only way to improve is modding - I'm only on an android phone.

    7.7 years ago
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    Finger cramps, pictures of the old creation, and lots of songs on repeat, @Weaverfish. But in all seriousness, I just kept building. And it was fun anyways since I was rebuilding one of my favorite old airplanes (look at my most recent forum post to see the original). I'm glad that this was inspirational to you, and I'd be curious to see why you think so.

    7.7 years ago
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    39.1k Weaverfish

    What a cockpit! Inspirational! How did you make this on IOS?

    7.7 years ago