Invisible Themepark

Tag: Aircraft

Cutaway views of aircraft.

  • B-24 Liberator Bomber Cutaway Drawing, 1943

    B-24 Liberator Bomber Cutaway Drawing, 1943

    Naturally, in the popular press of the time, Consolidated Vultee’s B-24 Liberator bomber would be hailed as a magnificent fighting machine, capable of plowing down any obstacle like cutting through butter.

    While the B-24 did have its strong points, crew members had a different angle on the craft. Lately, I have been reading Laura Hillenbrand’s book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption.  The person who is the centerpiece of the book, Louis Zamperini, who was a B-24 bombardier, says that the B-24 was called other names by crew members, such as “The Constipated Lumberer,” “The Flying Coffin,” and “The Flying Brick.”

    Click to Enlarge to 1328 x 506 px:

    B-24 Liberator Bomber Cutaway 1943
    B-24 Liberator Bomber Cutaway 1943

     

    Source:  Popular Mechanics November 1943

  • Atomic Airplane Cutaway, 1951

    Atomic Airplane Cutaway, 1951

    Even though I like Ray Pioch, his 1951 cutaway drawing of this fanciful atomic airplane really isn’t very good.  It’s got the typical middle-of-magazine two-color scheme, and the perspectives within this so-called atomic airplane are all wrong.

    That said, it was predicted that, by 1980, atomic-powered jets would already be in use.  However, more realistically, it was said that the nuclear power plant would be so heavy (about 50 tons) that it would cost as much in terms of weight as a petroleum-fueled plane (power plant replacing fuel).

    Another problem:  a radioactive engine being dangerous to the flight crew, extensive and heavy shielding would have to be added.

    And another problem:  the nuclear reactor’s slow start-up time.

    Click to Enlarge to 1230 x 755 px:

    Atomic Airplane Cutaway 1951
    Atomic Airplane Cutaway 1951

    Source:  Popular Science October 1951

  • Soviet TU-10 Two-Jet Bomber Cutaway, 1951

    Soviet TU-10 Two-Jet Bomber Cutaway, 1951

    This is the Tupolev TU-10 bomber.  I have not been able to find information on this aircraft.  If anyone has leads, please leave information in the comment section.

    Click to Enlarge Image to 1375 x 745 px:

    Soviet TU 10 Two Jet Bomber 1951
    Soviet TU 10 Two Jet Bomber 1951

    Source:  Popular Science August 1951

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

    Douglas Skymaster C-54M “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 better conditions.

    Litters were a bit cramped (18.5 inches vertical clearance for each patient), but the “Flying Hospital” did have other superior accommodations, such as a full nurse’s station, air-conditioning, and galley for preparation of hot meals.

    Click to Enlarge to 1607 x 735 px:

    Douglas Skymaster C54M Flying Hospital Cutaway 1951
    Douglas Skymaster C54M Flying Hospital Cutaway 1951

    Source:  Popular Science April 1951

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

    U.S. 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:

    US Air Force XC-99 Cargo Plane Cockpit Cutaway 1951
    US Air Force XC-99 Cargo Plane Cockpit Cutaway 1951

    Source:  Popular Science March 1951