Posted by tchbnk on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Sky-1-tp1500661p1500709.html

Hi Robert,
Thanks for your comment.
I admit that my exposition on the Sky 1's hovering system is quite
strained on, but I cannot think of another ground how the Sky 1 was
able to hover in the episode 'Flight Path'.
Otherwise, SHADO might have the anti-gravity equipment?

Thank you very much for your professional explanation, Dave.
I almost agree with you except on few points.
Regarding the Sky 1's rocket boosters attached to the rear section of
its underwing missile pods, I suppose they are liquid/solid hybrid
reusable rocket engines.
Watching a Sky 1 departing from a Diver, it ignite their engines
while underwater.
Isn't it quite dangerous to ignite a liquid rocket engine in the
water?
On the other hand, solid rocket engine may much safer, I suppose, and
if my memory serves me right, all the present US Navy submarine-
launched ballistic missiles have solid rocket engines which can be
launched immediately.
In addition, Sky 1's rocket engines exhaust quite dense white smoke,
which is a characteristic of solid rocket engines such as ones of the
Spaceshuttle's SRB.
But a solid rocket engine cannnot be shut down once ignited until it
burns out.
So a Sky 1 also needs liquid rocket engines to fly in the edges of
space.

I quite agree with the idea of that the trapezoid intake should have
a retractable cover.
I'm afraid that the lack of an exhaust which forms a counterpart to
the above intake was one of the most regrettable mistake that the
studio model department done.
Perhaps, Derek Meddings' design pictures did not suggest the cross
section of a Sky 1 and a Diver, I suppose, so they overlooked.
If, however, I am forced to explain what happens to the air taken
into the same intake, I have to say that the compressed air is
refregerated into the liquid air by the cold liauid hydrogen fuel and
transferred to the underwing liquid rocket engines each.

Regarding the nose intake, I would like to consider it is NOT an
intake, but a window for a raser distance measure and reconnaissance
cameras.
There should be covered with a clear glass, and probably the
modelmakers have forgotten to put it in or remitted.
(The STAW WARS X-Wing sturio models' windshields have no glasses.)

Kaoru