Fritz: Yes, the B52's look suffers from the square-cube law
If you multiply the size of a device by X, you multiply it's surface area AND structural member cross-sections by x^2, but the overall mass and volume increase by x^3. Since a beam's load carrying capacity is directly proportional to it's cross sectional area (assuming no nifty design tricks or size-related flaws), you only multiply load per y units by x^2 when scaling, while the load applied usually goes up as x^3.
Of course, the SU also doesn't carry much cargo, either. The B52 does.
Off axis bracing for non-aerodynes is relevant, as well. There will always be some off axis loads when changing orientation.
If you multiply the size of a device by X, you multiply it's surface area AND structural member cross-sections by x^2, but the overall mass and volume increase by x^3. Since a beam's load carrying capacity is directly proportional to it's cross sectional area (assuming no nifty design tricks or size-related flaws), you only multiply load per y units by x^2 when scaling, while the load applied usually goes up as x^3.
Of course, the SU also doesn't carry much cargo, either. The B52 does.
Off axis bracing for non-aerodynes is relevant, as well. There will always be some off axis loads when changing orientation.
