Manufacturer: LTV Corporation

Model: V-498

Name: Bluebird

Type: VTOL airliner

Date:

Status: Operational

Country: United States of America

Service: Commercial (New York Airlines)

Designation: none

The LTV V-498 Bluebird  was produced in small numbers for a few regional airlines in the U.S. and Canada, such as the now defunct New York Airways, seen here.

Some may remember my Vought-Sikorsky Shrike... Well, this is another take on the LTV XC-142 concept.

As shown by the original photo (below right) I started from an XC-142 but changed the whole fuselage, made it sleeker and added length to it. I also moved the empennage up to form one of those T-tails I cherish so much. I really couldn't say where I got the new cockpit from, though I believe part of it was redone with digital tools.

The result is what I consider a rather beautiful aircraft, and the name Bluebird (which belonged to Vought's very first aircraft) seemed perfect for it.

• Nifty looking ship. (Maverick)
• Another beautifully crafted work of art. Great job! (Stingray)
• The advertisement style gives a very realistic feel. (SuperStallion)
• The advertisement says it is flying, and this photograph proves it completely, so: why are you classifying it in unreal machines? making a photograph is not high merit, I am very disappointed. Don't pretend this is fake, there is photograph proof, evidence! (hehehe ) (Tophe)
• Great concept. Always liked the idea of skyscraper roofs as aero terminals. I suppose Sept 11 put the lid on that for awhile, but would not mind seeing urban transport ideas come up again. (RussC)

Can't speak for the whole planet, but what pretty much killed rooftop terminals for NYC was a combination of two factors: the high noise of the helicopters and a Sikorsky S-58 crash that killed 5 people and injured 8 more, in the early 60s I think.

After posting this image on the web I realized that there is quite a blooper here... I used a NYC photograph with a building in the middle that could NOT exist at the time of New York Airways... :(