Ekranoplan
 

Never knew there was such a thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSYmS...eature=related

Wtf!!

I saw something on the Russian Military planes from the Cold War a while ago on the Military Channel.... They had some pretty cool ideas that they went really big with in those days...

Wig
 

Conceptually these have been around for sometime. Know as Wing in Ground or WIG.

The concept demonstrates fast speeds for passenger or light haul craft over limited range routes.

One day we may see WIG commuter craft replace conventional ferries.

Last year I saw some TV/news short that the Iranians had built some small ones out of composite & plywood that could launch missles...for controlling traffic on the Persian Gulf. US military said that they could destroy them "at will".

This concept was originated by Dr. Alexander Lippisch. Lippisch designed and built the ME163, Komet, rocket plane for the Nazis in WWII. His son in law is one of my best friends. The US brought him over here after the war, and he settled in Iowa. He was the father of the delta wing, among many other things.

can you imagine how absolutely LOUD it is in one of those!