The contraption resembles a 'flying saucer' in shape (and, I suppose, technically it is). Ducted fans at the top blow very fast air across the surface of the craft. Due to the coanda effect (that fast flowing air tends to stick to curved surfaces), the airflow travels round the skin of the craft to underneath it. Here is passes through an electrically charged grid and becomes ionised. Once ionised the air is trapped underneath the craft by a magnetic 'skirt', creating lift

Note, I don't have a propulsion system yet. All the craft can do is hover.
-- Cats Whiskers, Sep 04 2004

The Coanda Saucer http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/repcotst.htm
includes conversion of electrostatic energy into kinetic energy [FarmerJohn, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Isn't this the same system that American defence establishment have been working in secret, continuing the work of a German WWII research team?

Admittedly it is a secret programme, but one that is well-document by the more credible documentaries that look into odd fields of research.
-- Aristotle, Sep 04 2004


Baked. Or 3/4 baked. My friend Messerschmidt told me they were on it . Werner Von Braun was the head researcher. The Yanks spoiled everything.
-- finflazo, Sep 04 2004



random, halfbakery