RetroMechanix.com - Excellent Resource for Aircraft & Spacecraft Concept Artists

[jzichek]

Attention aircraft/spacecraft concept artists looking for inspiration! Check out RetroMechanix.com (http://retromechanix.com/), which is devoted to "Yesterday's Wings of Tomorrow." It features nearly 800 high resolution images of little known vintage aircraft proposals and prototypes; it's a great resource if you are looking for an unusual configuration or want to add a retro influence to your design. Some examples include:

The Douglas Model 1875 Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Logistic Carrier (1955):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/5714090409_d220a53f01_o.gif

The McDonnell Douglas Model 226-458 Quiet Attack Aircraft, a stealth proposal from 1974:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5667648998_c8637f713e_o.jpg

The Douglas Model 1186-C Long Range Special Attack Aircraft:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/5728344167_cc3b3f64d8_z.jpg

The site also features several examples of 1950's graphic design, which again may be useful if you want to add a retro look to the presentation of your concept vehicle:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/5728913306_966321c9ca_z.jpg

New articles and graphics are added several times per week, so check back frequently if you are interested in this type of material.

Cheers,

Jared

[rem92]

nice site, thanks

[JeffX99]

Excellent resource - thanks!

Edit: OK, well...looks like it is just getting started - and a bit ad-heavy.

[jzichek]

Check out this new article at RetroMechanix.com (http://retromechanix.com/articles/aerospace/avro-vtol-fighter-for-us-navy-specification-ts-140-1956/?pid=1593) on a bizarre Avro "X-Wing" VTOL supersonic jet fighter proposal to fulfill US Navy specification TS-140 in 1956:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5278/5814228398_2d04de2e79_o.jpg

It featured two pairs of unswept wings with four jet engines mounted on each wing tip. The aircraft's “X-wing” configuration is apparent when viewed from head-on, prefiguring the famous Star Wars design by several decades. Never before published online, it includes a 73 image slideshow reproducing the entire proposal brochure with many high resolution drawings, artist's impressions, and photos which be inspirational to modern concept artists.

-Jared