J7W Shinden was a particularly distinct looking aircraft for its day.
I'm not sure what its closest modern cousin would be - the LongEZ perhaps?
Is there anybody who flies such an aircraft like this today? (I'm referring to the Shinden, not the LongEZ)
Did anybody ever make a replica of it and fly it?
Seems to be quite an elegant and interesting design. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
![1723637350573.png 1723637350573.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/homebuiltairplanes/data/attachments/154/154953-4542259767fbea6c570768c3f6c7f170.jpg)
![1723637535939.png 1723637535939.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/homebuiltairplanes/data/attachments/154/154954-41883dd53d24982d43e6eb32ccca76ad.jpg)
Also, in the upper pic I posted, it seems to show wheels on the tailfins.
But in the lower pic, it shows fuller landing gear.
Why would you need both?
If you're going to use wheels on the tailfins, then couldn't you get away with just those? (maybe just make'em a bit bigger)
Otherwise, what's the purpose of having the extra wheels on the tailfins?
(Come to think of it, why couldn't you replace the nose landing gear with a vertical fin too, and put a wheel on the bottom of that?)
Nosefin rudder could probably give a tighter turning radius for better dogfighting maneuverability.
I'm not sure what its closest modern cousin would be - the LongEZ perhaps?
Is there anybody who flies such an aircraft like this today? (I'm referring to the Shinden, not the LongEZ)
Did anybody ever make a replica of it and fly it?
Seems to be quite an elegant and interesting design. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
![1723637350573.png 1723637350573.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/homebuiltairplanes/data/attachments/154/154953-4542259767fbea6c570768c3f6c7f170.jpg)
![1723637535939.png 1723637535939.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/homebuiltairplanes/data/attachments/154/154954-41883dd53d24982d43e6eb32ccca76ad.jpg)
Also, in the upper pic I posted, it seems to show wheels on the tailfins.
But in the lower pic, it shows fuller landing gear.
Why would you need both?
If you're going to use wheels on the tailfins, then couldn't you get away with just those? (maybe just make'em a bit bigger)
Otherwise, what's the purpose of having the extra wheels on the tailfins?
(Come to think of it, why couldn't you replace the nose landing gear with a vertical fin too, and put a wheel on the bottom of that?)
Nosefin rudder could probably give a tighter turning radius for better dogfighting maneuverability.
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