disk mechanically before the take-off. Here's one way. You could have
a square hole in the center; then the disk launching device would have
a square shaft, rotated by an engine or a motor. As the speed built
up, the cambered disk would ride up the shaft and free itself, rising
vertically, with the jets taking over the job of whirling the cambered
section.

"The lift would be terrific, far more than any normal aircraft. I
don't believe any human being could take the G's involved in a maximum
power climb; they'd have to use remote control. When it got to the
desired altitude, your disk could be flown in any direction by tilting
it that way. The forward component from that tremendous

{p. 110}

lift would result in a very high speed. The disk could also hover, and
descend vertically."

"What about maneuvering?" I asked, thinking of Gorman's experience.

"It could turn faster than any pilot could stand," said Redell. "Of
course, a pilot's cockpit could be built into a large disk; but
there'd have to be some way of holding down the speed, to avoid too
many G's in tight maneuvers."

"Most of the disks don't make any noise," I said. "At least, that's
the general report. You'd hear ordinary jets for miles."

"Right, and here's another angle. Ram jets take a lot of fuel. Even
with some highly efficient new jet, I can't see the long ranges