The Auction You Missed
April 12, 2008 9:48 PM Subscribe
You missed your chance to bid on the very last Sky Commuter Prototype in existence. The auction ended in January, but the eBay auction page is still up, with plenty of photos and info. (Final price: $131,700.)
With the R&D that has come before us in the recent years this ship is the perfect example to make free flight possible. Yes you can make this ship leave the ground and even 10 feet or higher. But it is not stable and needs more research to continue this endeavor. I want no one to get hurt and I am making it very clear that this concept aircraft that is shown in this auction is possible to make lift off and clear the ground but the research stopped there.
Heres to hoping R&D continues!
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 10:35 PM on April 12, 2008
Heres to hoping R&D continues!
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 10:35 PM on April 12, 2008
Yay! Eight years since the future began back in 2000, we finally get our flying cars! Oh... wait... sorta kinda hovering cars that crash whenever they get airborne. Basically a couple of box fans encased in a pleasing fiberglass shell. All the same, time-beggars can't be space-choosers. I'd stand in line to play Russian roulette behind that wheel.
posted by bunnytricks at 10:47 PM on April 12, 2008
posted by bunnytricks at 10:47 PM on April 12, 2008
I think it would be a great vehicle for Meteor Man, Robert Townsend's movie character who could fly, but was afraid of heights. So he ended up flying about 4 feet off the ground. This would give him and additional 6 feet! Of course the Mollar Skycar works, but only the inventor has ever flown it.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 11:08 PM on April 12, 2008
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 11:08 PM on April 12, 2008
This is not the line I like to see in an auction: "The balance of the flight is what made the first two ships lose control."
Why not just say "We swear, this is the one that won't crash. Just try it."
posted by Leon-arto at 12:54 AM on April 13, 2008
Why not just say "We swear, this is the one that won't crash. Just try it."
posted by Leon-arto at 12:54 AM on April 13, 2008
Other items the buyer has purchased on the site:
- Sebastian Collection FIZZ' XL Fashion Foam
- Set of 3) WILDFIRE PEPPER SPRAY 18% Law Enforcement str
- Slim BLACK COBRA STUN GUN 150,000 Volt. Pen Style -New-
- LOT OF 2 VINTAGE COOKBOOKS. GENERAL FOODS 1935
Best feature of eBay, hands down.
posted by saturnine at 5:42 AM on April 13, 2008
- Sebastian Collection FIZZ' XL Fashion Foam
- Set of 3) WILDFIRE PEPPER SPRAY 18% Law Enforcement str
- Slim BLACK COBRA STUN GUN 150,000 Volt. Pen Style -New-
- LOT OF 2 VINTAGE COOKBOOKS. GENERAL FOODS 1935
Best feature of eBay, hands down.
posted by saturnine at 5:42 AM on April 13, 2008
It's interesting to read the progression of stories the seller tells about the vehicle's functionality:
This was made to take off in vertical fight and land. It can be landed on water and float like a boat and take off of water.
Then a bit later --
First I want to make it clear that it is possible to lift off and get off the ground. The balance of the flight is what made the first two ships lose control.... Yes you can make this ship leave the ground and even 10 feet or higher. But it is not stable and needs more research to continue this endeavor.
Yet later --
It was not brought to the lift off testing stage as it was the PR show ship and was used to perfect the computer assisted programs that was to be used in these aircraft. It looks as if it did indeed have motors in it but there are none now. I have machined new parts for the rotor heads (not altering the originals) and have it setup to have 3,450 RPM AC electric motors put in only to demonstrate it is capable to run the lifting fans. It will not lift off with these motors.... I am upfront and honest and will tell it like it is.
What a f***ing idiot.
posted by jayder at 9:56 AM on April 13, 2008
This was made to take off in vertical fight and land. It can be landed on water and float like a boat and take off of water.
Then a bit later --
First I want to make it clear that it is possible to lift off and get off the ground. The balance of the flight is what made the first two ships lose control.... Yes you can make this ship leave the ground and even 10 feet or higher. But it is not stable and needs more research to continue this endeavor.
Yet later --
It was not brought to the lift off testing stage as it was the PR show ship and was used to perfect the computer assisted programs that was to be used in these aircraft. It looks as if it did indeed have motors in it but there are none now. I have machined new parts for the rotor heads (not altering the originals) and have it setup to have 3,450 RPM AC electric motors put in only to demonstrate it is capable to run the lifting fans. It will not lift off with these motors.... I am upfront and honest and will tell it like it is.
What a f***ing idiot.
posted by jayder at 9:56 AM on April 13, 2008
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posted by lalochezia at 10:14 PM on April 12, 2008