Douglas Skymaster C-54M “Flying Hospital” Cutaway, 1951

Douglas Skymaster C54M Flying Hospital Cutaway 1951

You’re looking at a Douglas Skymaster C-54M that has been converted into a 32 litter (bed) “Flying Hospital.” At the time this cutaway was drawn, the Korean War was in full force.  Rather than taking wounded soldiers home by ship or rail, Military Air Transport Service’s (MATS) C-54M took them home far faster and in… Continue reading Douglas Skymaster C-54M “Flying Hospital” Cutaway, 1951

U.S. Air Force XC-99 Cargo Plane Cockpit Cutaway, 1951

US Air Force XC-99 Cargo Plane Cockpit Cutaway 1951

Only the cockpit of the XC-99?  Well, this plane was so freaking huge, we can barely show more than this. Based on a B-36 bomber, the XC-99–built by Convair–flew 7,400 hours over the span of about 10 years. Click to Enlarge to 786 x 742 px: Source:  Popular Science March 1951

French Leduc 021 Experimental Ramjet Cutaway, 1956

French Leduc 021 Experimental Ramjet Cutaway, 1956

Where’s the pilot?  Well, maybe it’s not a plane.  Maybe it’s a missile of some sort.  But then, where’s the warhead? You’re looking at a G.H. Davis cutaway drawing, 1956, of a Leduc 021 ramjet aircraft.  No pilot, no warhead. The Leduc 021 was carried up by a Languedoc airliner, Space Shuttle-style, and then released. … Continue reading French Leduc 021 Experimental Ramjet Cutaway, 1956

French Baroudeur SE 5000 Fighter Jet Cutaway, 1956

French Baroudeur SE 5000 Fighter Jet 1956

A nice G.H. Davis cutaway (note “France” added just above his signature) of a French Baroudeur SE-5000. See the landing gear on the Baroudeur?  No?  That’s because the Baroudeur (roughly translated to “adventurer”) is leaving its landing gear behind on the ground.  That’s right, the SE-5000 carried no gear, instead relying on a wheeled trolley… Continue reading French Baroudeur SE 5000 Fighter Jet Cutaway, 1956

DeHavilland Comet Cutaway, 1950

Comet Airliner Cutaway 1950

The Comet was quite a big deal when it was unveiled in 1950.  Both Popular Mechanics (Popular Mechanics’ deHavilland Comet Cutaway) and Popular Science pulled out all “cutaway stops” to feature this luxurious liner of the skies. Here, illustrator Jo Kotula tips the Comet to an angle rarely seen in aircraft cutaways. Source:  Popular Science… Continue reading DeHavilland Comet Cutaway, 1950