January 27,2003

Progress on Modelling of the FDL Lifting Body
Stéphane Cochin, Stratosphere Models.

It have since much progressed. I added the variable geometry pop-out wings, and they work very nicely. The single vertical fin, interior parts for the variable geometry wings mechanism. I modified the rear lower sides of the spacecraft (what you see on the picture was a little bit too thick (by about 1 or 1.5 mm, i was still "feeling" the shape, just making sure i would not remove too much material.

Now it's been done and matches the known pictures of the spacecraft very well. I made the wings after receiving a new conceptual art drawing of another version of a manned FDL-5 (also from Lockheed) last fall. The wings are broader than those of the various FDL-7s, that is also quite logical, since the FDL-7 had short, upwardly canted stub wings, while FDL-5 didn't and had to rely only on a lifting body fuselage. That's why FDL-7 could get away with very narrow, thin pop-out wings.

Next, i designed a new fuel tank for the vehicule. Those shown on the picture are those of the X-15 in 1/48th scale.They just happened to have miraculously the exact correct diameter as the fuel tanks for FDL-5 MA in 1/100th scale (!). The new tank master part i did have a MUCH more elongated and pointed nose cone. It makes a big difference and matches perfectly the pictures now.

The only trouble right now is solving the problem of the attachment points. It will have to be similar to the X-15, a little bit (it is really not visible on the only one photo showing the fuel tanks on FDL-5 MA). I already found out there are 2 special parts on each fuel tank that are used to lift them with a crane, away from the spacecraft. Same shape as one i saw on the X-15 tanks, but place in a different area. I'll add 2 fuel vents at the rear of the tanks, like on the X-15 tanks.

Now the kit is only waiting for the ejection seats, and the rocket nozzle, plus the small fuel tank details i just mentionned. Silicon will be poured shortly after that. I already have taken the first orders on the kit.