Profile image

Grumman G-674 "Nutcracker"

5,251 Freezenusantara  2.7 years ago
Auto Credit Based on d45h's Low Rank Challenge (CLOSED)

You know how ridiculous and complicated tail-sitter VTOLs, right?
Well, let me show you something even more ridiculous AND complex. Introducing, the abandoned

Grumman G-674 "Nutcracker"

A folding-fuselage VTOL, made for anti-submarine and recon mission, can be deployed by cruisers, destroyers, frigates, or any ship that is capable of carrying helicopters at the time.

Why this so important, you might ask?

Well, because Soviet naval doctrine at that time was mostly defensive, and the offensive ones are... you guessed it, submarines!
A group of smaller ship classes like i mentioned above with various anti-submarine weaponry could cover vast areas of the ocean to track and possibly engage with the enemy if necessary.
further explanation is discussed in this video

controls

AG1 for canopy
AG2 for VTOL mode (activates gyro, airbrakes, and fold wings)
AG3 ejection seat
VTOL for the folding-fuselage mechanism

How to land?

Good question!
There's little information about how the hell this thing lands with its folding-fuselage configuration. But apparently, it needs a special platform and docking arm to land (safely). Something like this:

but since the platform and the docking arm is not included in here, here's the tutorial on how to "landing" vertically (no guarantee of landing in one piece):
1. reduce your speed to as slow as possible without stalling.
2. press AG2 and slowly raise the VTOL bar. If you do it too quickly, you will spin uncontrollably
3. slowly adjust the throttle so you wont descent or ascent too fast
4. i still have no idea how you will safely land without those docking platform, you have to find out yourself

How to takeoff?

I dont know, there's very little information out there. As far as i search, no one mentioned its takeoff procedures.
Takeoff like a normal airplane, i guess?
If you really insist, once you get to the VTOL configuration while still on the runway, somehow:
1. full throttle
2. slowly lower the VTOL bar, you will also spin uncontrollably if you did it too fast
3. deactivate AG2 when you dont stalling when the back fuselage has returned to its normal position

note: the plane is very unstable, be careful when maneuvering

screenshots



Spotlights

General Characteristics

  • Predecessor Low Rank Challenge (CLOSED)
  • Created On Windows
  • Wingspan 27.9ft (8.5m)
  • Length 30.6ft (9.3m)
  • Height 9.6ft (2.9m)
  • Empty Weight 14,403lbs (6,533kg)
  • Loaded Weight 18,176lbs (8,244kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 2.225
  • Wing Loading 83.5lbs/ft2 (407.5kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 217.8ft2 (20.2m2)
  • Drag Points 4169

Parts

  • Number of Parts 156
  • Control Surfaces 6
  • Performance Cost 783