Came across this aircraft while poking around the Internet. The Avro 722 'Atlantic'. Part Vulcan, part airliner...I'm in love! Here's a little info I found regarding the 'Atlantic'. Sorry if everyone here is already familiar with the Atlantic, but I've never heard of her before.
The 725 was the competitor to the North American XB-70. Amazingly, the two aircraft looked very similar until late in the running when the North American team was made aware of some research into a phenomenon known as compression lift, where the shockwave could be used to create additional lift on the wing to offset the transonic drag created as the aircraft accelerated and allowing for supersonic cruise. The outer "pods" were actually flying fuel tanks that would be released once empty allowing the aircraft to make a supersonic dash over the target.
I think the idea was to frighten the enemy away by sheer ugliness.
I couldn't see what all the fuss was about when I saw that 'Flying under the moon' shot.. then I scrolled down :o It looks like the same design team worked on the Kawasaki Z1000 (recent but not new model). Loads of bits left over and bunged together to make a complete mess
Yes, always fascinating what might have been... :think:
Going ever-so-slightly off the point, but do any of you guys know of where I can find a pic of the 'blended wing' design that BAC Filton came up with, and made a model of? I have seen the proposed one from the USA on the net, but never this British one.
I know it was concluded as being too big for Airports then, don't know about now though.
Here's a little info I found regarding the 'Atlantic'. Sorry if everyone here is already familiar with the Atlantic, but I've never heard of her before. 
That is one ugly aircraft.
