AirFlow StarShip Initial Reveal
 

Okay, so I haven't exactly completed the real truck yet, but that will happen soon. In the interim, here are a couple of articles and images of a scale model of the new truck that I am building.

http://rotella.shell.com/starship/_j...r-nologos.jpeg

http://www.overdriveonline.com/wp-co...11-768x432.jpg

http://www.ccjdigital.com/wp-content...23-768x432.jpg

Shell Rotella unveils futuristic tractor-trailer concept

Shell Rotella's Starship concept rig could see cross-country efficiency run in early 2018 | Overdrive - Owner Operators Trucking Magazine

How did I do???

you dun goofed son!


Just kidding. :thumbup: Looking good, make it happen! Eager to see these things on the roads, replacing the other trucks out there.

How is the filler between the can and the trailer going to work? Inflatible? Sliding plates somehow? Will it be possible to use it with a standard trailer with all aero in place?

So many questions...

The rear of cab to trailer is an active aerodynamic, pneumatic mechanical origami-type device that articulates. It is constructed from aluminum tubes and sheet aluminum panels. It keys off a signal in our custom digital dash to deploy at 45 mph and it stows at 40 mph so the tractor and trailer can articulate. So at any speed below 40 mph, we have the standard gap between the tractor and the trailer. At 45 mph and above, it closes that gap.

Yes, it would work with a standard trailer as the device is cab-mounted. But a standard trailer with the StarShip tractor would just be a waste of fuel.



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Different and they weren't nearly as good, but still reminds of Penske's trucks from years ago.https://16thandgeorgetown.files.word...ske_racing.jpg

Nothing about that Penske truck is really analogous to my new truck. But it was very similar to my first truck 35 years ago. The gap between the tractor and trailer of the Penske rig was very close, but it did not mechanically close. So the driver had to be very careful. The windshield and front end were flat. And Larry Shinoda, the designer of the 1963 Corvette and the Boss Mustang who designed that rig for Mr. Penske, did it 3 years after I built my first aerodynamic truck.

My 1983 prototype is shown below.
http://www.airflowtruck.com/wp-conte...7/05/HDT-2.jpg

Cool! Subscribed.

Cool. I'd like to see that in action. Sounds sci-fi...
Well, I mean, not a complete waste if you're taking care of a lot of the from aero ugliness. Haulers gotta haul the trailer they draw sometimes :).

Sam

What is this? A semi for ants? How can we be expected to transport goods efficiently if they can’t even fit inside the truck? I don’t wanna hear your excuses! The tractor has to be at least three times bigger than this!

Battle of the Bulge (1965) "King Tiger"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4j4iq-hN_8

Very nice model, it proves that the Germans are still the world's finest toy makers.............:D

Just kidding, I would love to see that on the road as soon as possible. :thumbup: