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11-Pound Model Plane Vs. The Atlantic, Again

Posted by timothy on from the admirable-hobby dept.

Luap Nanreffeh writes "Last year, (/. Story 1, /. story 2) Maynard Hill and some retired NASA buddies tried to set a record for flying a model aeroplane across the atlantic ocean (from Newfoundland to Ireland). Their plan, using GPS, onboard controllers, and a gallon of gas, would have been the first to cross the Atlantic under FAI rules. They didn't have much luck last year, but now they're at it again. The first launch should be tonight."

2 of 301 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Or... by SmackCrackandPot · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Japanese did try something similar in World War II. They tried using paper balloons to carry incendiary bombs across the Pacific using the jet stream. Crazy idea, but a few bombs did get through.

  2. Re:hm by Migrant+Programmer · · Score: 4, Informative

    They launched 3 last year, and are launching 4 this year. It would be really stupid to launch them an hour apart -- oops, one storm just took out all of your planes at once.

    --
    Bitchslapped. Neat.