[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Tom Beamer, Tom@theAirport.com
Date: 12/24/01
Time: 10:08:27 AM
Remote Name: 64.41.40.185
There have been any number of American planes from which the Zero design was alleged to have been copied. The most striking similarity that they all share is the same general layout, low wing, retractable gear, radial engine. Critical thinking will quickly revel that this was the state-of-the-art of aircraft design in this era. We could just as easily say that the Zero was copied from the Boeing Monomail in that they shared similar design elements.
In every era there are those who attribute some design on another to being copied from something else when in fact they were both state-of-the-art for the era. And quite often two planes designed decadees apart for the same mission will have quite similar general layouts, think of the Huff-Deland duster and the Grumman AgCat.
My hats off to you for a FANTASTIC project!
I've spent considerable time examining the H-1 when it was on display at the NASM, BEAUTIFUL lines, fine fit and finish.
Interesting how much Palmer carried these design elements over to other projects he worked on,