Fighters, another look

Digged out an old SOM software that I made some 10 years ago. SOM = Self Organizing Map, and is a kind of artificial neural network that maps multidimensional vectors on to a 2D map according to a highly non-linear algorithm. On this map, similar vectors become clustered together, while non similar vectors are far apart or have "mountains" between them. It is used for instance in match-making software, image analysis, pattern recognition and so on. A SOM will only show the relative differences, nothing more.

The basic data for an airplane is a typical vector. So I simply feed the SOM with airplane data (several T/W and wing loading data and some other stuff), and let the artificial neurons do their job making some maps.

On the first picture, the map became devided in two distinct regions. "Real" fighters are on the left, while more fighter bomber planes are on the right. The Gripen and the Rafale are also somewhat isolated from the rest of the fighters. The F-35 is very similar to the F-18E. So, the F-35 is for all practical purposes (practical in a T/W ratio, wing loading sence :-) ; a stealthy F-18E. If this is good or bad, I don't know, but the F-35 is certainly no real fighter in a "classical" sense relative to the fighter bunch.

On the other picture I have "hard wired" a mystery plane in the middle and let the SOM work to see the similarities with the others. Clarly the mystery plane is very different from the rest, probably much better looking :-) But, it has to be built...

Trimming rudder

Started trimming the rudder for hinge points etc.

R-410

Time to do some work again. Started with cutting and filing R-410 into shape. Spent some time studying how to cut/trim the rudder, but I'm still not completely sure in which sequence this should be done.