Woodsy's earlier post about Lockheed Hypersonic designs prompted me to go a hunting again for useable info on the origin of the Project SWORD Scout vehicles. I had originally found a tantalising glimpse in TV21 some while ago, but nailing down the actual design proved hard. However, a bit of digging revealed the image above, which, while it isn't actually as close to the toy design, is referred to as a 'Martin Scout'. Further poking about suggested that it may have been a long distance nuclear bomber and the 'scout' designation referred to finding suitable targets for an air/space launched nuke.
So presumably, the Sword designers were looking for inspiration for their designs in the aeronautics and space industry and pinching anything they liked the look of. I also came across this YouTube video of the Lifting Body Era, which shows some great footage of tests of the vehicles which informed the design of the Space Glider. It also shows the horrific crash of the M1 F2 vehicle which saw light on the opening cedits of the Six Million Dollar Man!
Great research Wote. That's exactly what is so fascinating about the whole Project Sword range, the fact that it gathers under one toy brand some of the most innovative and glorious yet unrealized designs of the golden era of space race. Is there any other like it (except for SpaceX of course)?
I think Sword and Spacex caught the zeitgeist and profitted by it. There just isnt that same sense of awe and wonder now, as space has been commodified and repackaged now and the mysteries of the cosmos are to be found with a crafty Google. Maybe if the Mars missions garner enough interest, we could see a space age renaissance?
The Martin "Scout" design appears to be one of many from the mid to late 60's that were supposed to lead to reuseable spacecraft for NASA and the USAF. I believe that this base on a body configuration known as FDL-7. Notice the small payload bay, the rear landing gear skids, and the spacesuited crew.
Thanks Steve - the FDL hypersonic series definitely contributed to the design of the Scout toy series. Its interesting to note that this model seems to have a separate 'lifting body' at the rear, unless thats part of an engine nacelle.
That IS a small lifting body in the rear. The payload in the payload bay appears to be a very generalized representation of a camera system and it's linked to the small lifting body. My speculation is that the small lifting body is meant to carry the film for the camera; after the film is exposed the film is sent back to earth on the small lifting body. This was back before digital imaging systems could send hi-res images back from orbit.
Great research Wote. That's exactly what is so fascinating about the whole Project Sword range, the fact that it gathers under one toy brand some of the most innovative and glorious yet unrealized designs of the golden era of space race. Is there any other like it (except for SpaceX of course)?
ReplyDeleteI think Sword and Spacex caught the zeitgeist and profitted by it. There just isnt that same sense of awe and wonder now, as space has been commodified and repackaged now and the mysteries of the cosmos are to be found with a crafty Google. Maybe if the Mars missions garner enough interest, we could see a space age renaissance?
ReplyDeleteThe Martin "Scout" design appears to be one of many from the mid to late 60's that were supposed to lead to reuseable spacecraft for NASA and the USAF. I believe that this base on a body configuration known as FDL-7. Notice the small payload bay, the rear landing gear skids, and the spacesuited crew.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve - the FDL hypersonic series definitely contributed to the design of the Scout toy series. Its interesting to note that this model seems to have a separate 'lifting body' at the rear, unless thats part of an engine nacelle.
ReplyDeleteThat IS a small lifting body in the rear. The payload in the payload bay appears to be a very generalized representation of a camera system and it's linked to the small lifting body. My speculation is that the small lifting body is meant to carry the film for the camera; after the film is exposed the film is sent back to earth on the small lifting body. This was back before digital imaging systems could send hi-res images back from orbit.
ReplyDelete