Studing WIG (Wing In Ground Effect)

[skippervs]

smenkhare. Please, do you know the name or any datas of Turkish Co, who bought the project?

[smenkhare]

sorry i can't recall the name (don't even know where i read it.

this was a while ago so it may not even be in production at all now.

[skippervs]

Smenkhare. It is a point for me. I am building a new WIG and look for people and Companies of the same business.

[skippervs]

GEOB. How are you doing? AV

[Geob]

Hi skippervs,

I had no time to test my model in the air tunnel. So I have not the aerodynamic results that I want.

I have finished my project, but i have one problem. I don't have information about stepped hull. Or any hull that WIG's use, such as Vee or Deep Vee.

I have studied all the aerodynamics, such as stability and control, ground effect, Lift - drag, CDGE (Chord Dominated Ground Effect) and SDGE (Span Dominated Ground Effect)

Maybe in this week i will post some of my results...

*** What kind of WIG you will build? It will be a model (scale) or real?

[skippervs]

GEOB. Hi. She is Lippish type WIG boat for 3 pers. Aerodinamic configuration is a little different.
This is not the job for me so the boat will grow up slowly.
AV

[skippervs]

GEOB.
One more idea around real WIG.
The scale towing model for just one person to insure all the points- like the first step. To build the real WIG 3-seater if the test datas are suitable.
How are you doing?
AV

[Guillermo]

Another one:
"The FLYSHIP® GmbH realizes the idea of the almost weightless hovering directly over the ground or over water. The business was established in October 2004, in order to create a new Transportation system based on approved technology which flies, but is classified as a ship on all waters on earth. Because on basis of the guidelines of the IMO (International MaritimeOrganization), and the MSC, Maritime Safety Committee, the FLYSHIP® is regarded as a ship. The first FLYSHIP® probably enters operation in 2009 for distances between 150 km and approximately 800 km in order to transport up to 80 passengers between the coasts of inner seas and selected big inner waters."
............
"Leonardo da Vinci was one of the first "airplane engineers", who tried to develop the "flying ships'". A small boat with wings and rudders should offer additional place for a Co-Pilot in the mussel-shaped hull. Furthermore, he drafts a mechanism in order to move the two big bat wings. A stern rudder should make the control of the flight boat possible."

More at: http://www.flyship.eu/web/

[skippervs]

Guilermo Gefael.
Thanks for the info. I shall learn it. Are you working in the WIG item? AV

[Guillermo]

No, I'm not. Just curious.
Cheers.

[Gannet]

Can anyone tell me why this thread just died? It was one of the best threads I found that discuss WIG Boats, Flying Boats, Step Hulls, Hydroplanes and Tunnels .

[kach22i]

A thread just need a few core people to keep it going. Looks like some people may have been doing and not just typing, which is a good thing.

You could always PM or e-mail someone to see if they have an update on their project.

[machg]

I have just discovered WIGs, what a fanastic concept. The efficiency of flying at close to ground levels is amazing. I have been talking to a tech savvy workmate (who also has his pilot's licence) about WIGs and he suggested vectored thrust or ducted fans to allow hovering, eliminating the need for high speed to generate sufficient lift to achieve "flight". I just had a better idea; design a hull of sufficient volume with the correct aerodynamics for efficient WIG type flight, then fill the chambers with Helium filled bladders to achieve lighter than air status, or at the least, greatly reduced weight. I can see massive efficiency and saftey gains by being less reliant on aerofoil lift for flight.

[juiceclark]

I thought this would be a good time to offer a tribute to a man named Richard Cole. He designed the "Airslot" hull in the 60s and stood by in horror as Wellcraft built it too cheaply in the early 70s. The hull was the first production boat to have a "step" to break suction and tunnelled air under the boat to bring it up to ride on an extremely sharp entry.

Here's the 3rd glass boat produced by Wellcraft in Sarasota, FL. I completely restored it a few years back and sold it to a guy retired from Wellcraft. Dick Cole offered much great advice to me on the phone from Miami during the project. The boat rode incredibly well...I mean by far the best 24 footer ever:
http://www.hsmarine.com/WellcraftAir...ners/TonyC.htm

Richard Cole RIP. May many of you naval architects make such an impact:
http://www.ultimate.com/omc-boats/cole.html

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by machg

vectored thrust or ducted fans to allow hovering........... fill the chambers with Helium filled bladders

1. Somes dirigibles use vectored thrust ducted fans.

2. Dirigibles are most vulnerable when near the ground such as when mooring. Sudden gusts of wind acting upon the large surface area acts like a sail.

In my opinion, you have two ideas which don't mix well.

Many WIG accidents happen because of wind gusts at low altitude.

The general "want" to obtain low speed hovering ability for perhaps safety may seem like a good one. However is there a need?

Will this move people or freight more cost effectively?

Will this make landing in adverse conditions or on off-field surfaces any better, and how or why so?