The Nauticair 450

The Nauticair 450 Story

It all started with Popular Mechanics introducing the Skyshark in 1971 designed by Dr. G. Leonard Gioia:

Introduction: What is the SKYSHARK?

As a youngster in the early seventies, aviation and drawing airplanes was already a big part of my life. One day I was in the drugstore and came across a magazine bearing the most fantastic aircraft painting I'd ever laid my eyes on. It was the April 1971 issue of Popular Mechanics featuring a revolutionary new personal amphibian jet incorporating the most "Space Age" design details. The designers name is Dr. Leonard Gioia. An aircraft designer decades ahead of his time. Below is that magazine cover and article, still looking spectacular and fresh after thiry-eight years! Thanks for creating this beautiful machine!

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My new sketch of the original concept, the Skyshark

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Update: 1/21/2009: Skyshark - Mark II

I found this article online. A reader still curious submitted a question to Popular Mechanics. - (circa early 80's(?) click to enlarge. Sorry for poor quality of image:



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Update: 1/24/09:
This is a somewhat recent version of the "Skyshark". It's now known as the "Nauticair 450"
New 3-D images are on the way with the most recent updates.
Stay tuned!


Link to Archedyne: Home of the Nauticair 450. Great concept art!
http://www.archedyne.net
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April 7.2009
The Nauticair 450 is now further refined as shown by my latest sketch below




Currently Dr. Gioia and his son are creating a flying 1:8 scale flying model. The model will fly in the early fall this year.

Stay tuned for updates!