Burnelli's Lifting Fuselages
Aeroplane Monthly, March 1980 issue, starting at page 144
HOWARD LEVY and RICHARD RIDING describe the series of unusual lifting
fuselage aeroplanes designed by Texan Vincent J. Burnelli.
Many aircraft designers have pursued radical ideas throughout their
aeronautical careers. Men such as Professor G. T. R. Hill Dr. Alexander
Lippisch, Horten and Kallinin, who experimented with tailless aircraft,
were convinced that such a configuration represented the ultimate in flying
safety and controllability.
Others believed that, for sheer aerodynamic efficiency, the flying wing
was the only answer. They argued that, by leaving out everything but the
wing, one could fly faster and further than conventional aircraft on comparable
power.
One of the keenest supporters of this theory was Professor Hugo Junkers
who, as early as 1909, envisaged large Hying wing aeroplanes capable of
carrying hundreds of passengers over vast distances. In 1923 his ideas
progressed as far as the drawing board, and plans were produced for a 262ft
span flying wing capable of carrying 100 people. Yet despite the paper
advantages, only Northrop was to put a flying wing into production with
their YB 35 (see Aeroplane Monthly, January and February 1974.)
A designer who pursued yet another avenue of research was Vincent J.
Burnelli. When he died on June 22, 1964, he had spent 50 of his 69 years
designing and building aeroplanes. Although his formative years were occupied
with light aeroplanes and even a helicopter, he is remembered for his unconventional
lifting fuselage transport aeroplanes, a theme he was to develop from 1920
until his death.
These articles are concerned with these rather ugly but functional designs,
and it is hoped that a separate appraisal of his earlier and equally interesting
products will be published before too long. The basic theme behind Burnelli's
lifting fuselage theory was that the fuselage, by way of its large surface
area and aerofoil shape, could contribute as much as 50 per cent of the
aeroplane's lift, thus giving all kinds of advantages over conventional
aeroplanes, particularly with regard to safety and performance.

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