Skunk Works Hopeless Diamond Experimental Stealth Aircraft

thingiverse

In the mid-1970s, the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) initiated an investigation into how an aircraft's radar signature could be minimized by facetting its exterior. Lockheed Skunkworks contributed significantly to this effort with the proposed "Hopeless Diamond," a stealth fighter design devoid of a tail and featuring a fuselage composed of sharply angular panels. Radar tests conducted on a 10-foot model yielded a remarkably low radar signature, equivalent in size to an eagle's eyeball. Although a fully operational Hopeless Diamond was never constructed, the lessons learned during its development were eventually incorporated into the F-117 Stealth Fighter. This is my interpretation of what the Hopeless Diamond may have looked like based on available drawings and information. Stealth pole included! Print Settings Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator Z18 Rafts: Yes Supports: No Resolution: various Infill: doesn't matter Notes: Versions with and without landing gear deployed are included. I've successfully printed this model on both a MakerBot Rep2 and a MakerBot Z18. The model has been scaled up from its original size to print effectively in the Z18, but it should be possible to scale it down for printing on other machines. When printing at a smaller scale, the landing gear can become challenging to print successfully, but adjusting settings can help, and minor trimming may be necessary at the wheel to enable tire movement. The Nose and Fuselage parts feature custom breakaway supports designed for areas that require extra care. Print at any resolution with rafts. The Landing gear should be printed at 0.2mm on normal scale. There is a small breakaway support between the strut and wheel, which must be removed before the tires can be applied. For best results, print each landing gear individually. If scaling down for smaller machines proves difficult, try printing at 0.3mm. The Stealth Pole requires printing with floor thickness set to zero to prevent warpage. Print with rafts. Tires can be printed at 0.2mm with rafts, but may need slight scaling for a perfect fit.