US Air Force's 1950s Supersonic Flying Saucer Declassified 300
MrSeb writes "Tighten the strap on your tinfoil hat: Recently declassified documents show that the US Air Force was working on, and perhaps had already built, a supersonic flying saucer in 1956. The aircraft, which had the code name Project 1794, was developed by the USAF and Avro Canada in the 1950s. One declassified memo, which seems to be the conclusion of initial research and prototyping, says that Project 1794 is a flying saucer capable of 'between Mach 3 and Mach 4,' (2,300-3,000 mph) a service ceiling of over 100,000 feet (30,500m), and a range of around 1,000 nautical miles (1,150mi, 1850km). According to declassified cutaway diagrams, the supersonic flying saucer would propel itself by rotating an outer disk at very high speed, taking advantage of the Coand effect. Maneuvering would be accomplished by using small shutters on the edge of the disc (similar to ailerons on a winged aircraft). Power would be provided by jet turbines. According to the cutaway diagrams, the entire thing would even be capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). The fact that there are no disc-shaped aircraft in the skies today, though, suggests that the USAF's flying saucer efforts probably never got past the prototype stage."
or ... (Score:5, Funny)
"The fact that there are no disc-shaped aircraft in the skies today, though, suggests that the USAF's flying saucer efforts probably never got past the prototype stage."
or they work so good that only blurry and shaky videos exist of them flying around and terrorizing cows
Re:or ... (Score:5, Funny)
Oh, the cow thing was me. Sorry, my bad.
Note to self: (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Didn't Get past prototype (Score:5, Funny)
Project "1794" sounds awfully damned familiar (Score:5, Funny)
...as in re-arrange those digits and you get 1947, the year of the famous Roswell New Mexico UFO crash.
Coincidence?
Re:Truth (Score:2, Funny)
It then went to the Piggly Wiggly and some strange creature came out of the store carrying a six pack.
Strange creatures [peopleofwalmart.com], indeed.
Re:It all sounds vaguely familar... (Score:5, Funny)
" what is the advantage of a flying saucer compared to wing based aircraft? at least on earth"
To completely screw with the enemy.
Broadcast loudly "ACK! ACKACK!" from loudspeakers while you only use lime green lighting.
Re:Project 1794?? (Score:4, Funny)
Ewige Blumenkraft!
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:4, Funny)
So, even aliens have problems with teenage and drunk drivers.
Imagine you are an alien exploring Earth: "Hey, dude. Look at that Earthling. I will fly in all sorts of crazy patterns to get his attention while you lube up the anal probe. Remind me again why we are doing this? Buttholes stink."
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:5, Funny)
I understand some things are questionable, when all you see is a bright light moving in the sky, but detail accounts cant all be spoofs.
Before the Lindisfarne monastery was attacked by Vikings in 793, the monks reported having seen a multitude of omens, among others, swarms of fiery dragons were seen in the sky. I sincerely hope these weren't real, since my country not only has no anti-UFO missiles, but no anti-dragon missiles as well.
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:4, Funny)
Well, if they *said* they saw those things, OK then.
since my country not only has no anti-UFO missiles, but no anti-dragon missiles as well.
I'm in the USA. It would not surprise me greatly to find out we have anti-dragon missiles somewhere.
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:4, Funny)
why would aliens put flashing lights on an interstellar space craft?
Why not?
You saying aliens can't be pimpin their rides?
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:5, Funny)
Hi, I'm an alien (many of us are reading /. and even posting
On the "B" Ark, I presume.
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:4, Funny)
what is the point of glass and flashing lights in space other than to be broken by tiny particles
Don't you just hate it when you are doing 0.99c along an interstellar freeway and some photon is tailgating you?
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:5, Funny)
Re:so all those people weren't crazy (Score:4, Funny)
Maybe her smartphone didn't have a decent flash...