Futuristic sailplane on December 1967 Soaring cover

[John White]

I've been fascinated by this unusual image on the cover of Soaring
magazine:

http://soaringweb.org/Soaring_Index/1967/1967Dec_full.jpg

I always assumed it was a reaction to the movie 2001 since it bears a
distinct resemblance to the spaceplane in that movie, but recently
realised that it pre-dates the release of the movie by a good few months.
It's a striking design and an impressive cover piece. Is there an
interesting story to go with it?

[[email protected]]

On Aug 26, 5:45*pm, John White > wrote:
> I've been fascinated by this unusual image on the cover of Soaring
> magazine:
>
> http://soaringweb.org/Soaring_Index/1967/1967Dec_full.jpg
>
> I always assumed it was a reaction to the movie 2001 since it bears a
> distinct resemblance to the spaceplane in that movie, but recently
> realised that it pre-dates the release of the movie by a good few months.
> It's a striking design and an impressive cover piece. Is there an
> interesting story to go with it?

This was an illustration of a futuristic glider called Altosaurus, I
think and was an illustration generated from a projection of future
sailplanes which came as part of a review of past progress in
sailplane development.. I think the article(s) were done by John
Mcmasters, if I recall correctly.
They are worth finding and reading.
UH

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

At 00:22 27 August 2009, wrote:
>This was an illustration of a futuristic glider called Altosaurus, I
>think and was an illustration generated from a projection of >future
sailplanes which came as part of a review of past >progress in sailplane
development.. I think the article(s) were >done by John Mcmasters, if I
recall correctly.
>They are worth finding and reading.
>UH

Well, that was another later series, Hank. This particular article,
titled "it's a BIRD, it's a PLANE, it's SUPERSHIP" was written by
Bennett Rogers. It is about the brainchild of Stephen Marton and the
plane was called the SM-17G. SM for Stephen Marton, 17 for his 17th
design, and G for the 7th resivion of the basic design. It was to have a
nearly 66 foot wingspan, 38.75 aspect ratio, and a wing loading of "eight
and a half pounds per square foot" which was going to require an alert
pilot who will fly thi splane at all times. The flaps up stalling speed
was forecast as 50 MPH. Oh my!

Other interesting thins of note in that issue. Will Schuemann took
deliver of his Libelle, N158WS. Carl Herold bought an HP-14 from Al
Parker. Diamond Badges award to US Pilots John C Seymour, Robert O Buck,
Stephen Parker, among others. Bill Ivans set a new US National Speed
around a 100 KM triangle of 83.786 MPH in his Sisu. What is now my Ka-8B
was for sale for $3600, plus an extra $450 for an enclosed trailer. Dr
Ernst Steinhoff had his SHK listed for sale.

There is some really neat stuff in these old magazines. Most are
available from the Nationals Soaring Museum, should you be interested in
getting copies for yourself.

Steve Leonard
Wichita, KS
NSM Member

[Dave Nadler]

On Aug 26, 9:15*pm, Steve Leonard > wrote:
> At 00:22 27 August 2009, wrote:>This was an illustration of a futuristic glider called Altosaurus, I
> >think and was an illustration generated from a projection of >future
>
> sailplanes which came as part of a review of past >progress in sailplane
> development.. I think the article(s) were >done by John Mcmasters, if I
> recall correctly.
>
> >They are worth finding and reading.
> >UH
>
> Well, that was another later series, Hank. *This particular article,
> titled "it's a BIRD, it's a PLANE, it's SUPERSHIP" was written by
> Bennett Rogers. *It is about the brainchild of Stephen Marton and the
> plane was called the SM-17G. *SM for Stephen Marton, 17 for his 17th
> design, and G for the 7th resivion of the basic design. *It was to have a
> nearly 66 foot wingspan, 38.75 aspect ratio, and a wing loading of "eight
> and a half pounds per square foot" which was going to require an alert
> pilot who will fly thi splane at all times. *The flaps up stalling speed
> was forecast as 50 MPH. *Oh my!
>
> Other interesting thins of note in that issue. *Will Schuemann took
> deliver of his Libelle, N158WS. *Carl Herold bought an HP-14 from Al
> Parker. *Diamond Badges award to US Pilots John C Seymour, Robert O Buck,
> Stephen Parker, among others. *Bill Ivans set a new US National Speed
> around a 100 KM triangle of 83.786 MPH in his Sisu. *What is now my Ka-8B
> was for sale for $3600, plus an extra $450 for an enclosed trailer. *Dr
> Ernst Steinhoff had his SHK listed for sale.
>
> There is some really neat stuff in these old magazines. *Most are
> available from the Nationals Soaring Museum, should you be interested in
> getting copies for yourself.
>
> Steve Leonard
> Wichita, KS
> NSM Member

No doubt the inspiration for the Alenia Black Lynx:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/18/214654/alenia-prepares-to-fly-sky-y-uav.html

25 meter span, glider-like aspect ratio, fierce-looking winglets...

See ya, Dave "YO electric"