Author Topic: Interesting or unusual planes? (Read 396445 times)

clarion · « **Reply #350 on:** 29 September, 2012, 07:41:25 pm »

We rode near Duxford and saw a few interesting planes.

a Bulldog

a large single engined biplane like a Fox Moth

a Tiger Moth

a Dragon Rapide flew directly overhead. I think it is one of the most beautiful aeroplaces ever

and a pre-war trainer, something like a Stearman Model 75 Kaydet. Leastways, it had stubby, rounded-end wings, and an uncowled radial.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #351 on:** 29 September, 2012, 08:26:41 pm »

The other one we saw, Clarion, was probably a T6 Harvard.

I think you need to avoid clicking on this link.

Peter · « **Reply #352 on:** 29 September, 2012, 08:32:46 pm »

Wobbly, I clicked the link. I am now vintage but when I flew in a Dragon Rapide from what was then London Airport, I wasn't. My first flight and heart in mouth stuff because of that. Excellent female pilot.

clarion · « **Reply #353 on:** 29 September, 2012, 08:49:26 pm »

Thanks, John, for reminding me.

TimC · « **Reply #354 on:** 01 October, 2012, 08:58:00 am »

Quote from: clarion on 29 September, 2012, 07:41:25 pm

We rode near Duxford and saw a few interesting planes.

a Bulldog

Brings back many happy memories - I instructed on Bulldogs from 1987-91 at RAF Finningley (Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron). Wonderful times.

clarion · « **Reply #355 on:** 01 October, 2012, 10:15:45 am »

It's a great little plane, and underappreciated.

TimC · « **Reply #356 on:** 01 October, 2012, 11:46:23 am »

Great? Well, I'm not sure I agree with that. It was workmanlike and a reasonable instruction platform, but it was hideously expensive and had a horrible penchant for entering irrecoverable spins, and even with 200hp it struggled to outperform the Chipmunk it replaced. The Siai Marchetti SF260 was the same price and a lot more capable but, although it was considered for the Air Staff Target that resulted in the Bulldog, it was Not Made Here and thus didn't get bought. Interestingly, a derivative of it is still in production.

I did once get a look at the sole Bullfinch, a retractable-gear development of the Bulldog, which might have been an interesting alternative, but it was never put into production.

However, as a relatively simple GA aeroplane, the Bulldog has a lot going for it.

clarion · « **Reply #357 on:** 01 October, 2012, 11:58:59 am »

The SF260 edges it in style.

TimC · « **Reply #358 on:** 01 October, 2012, 12:49:05 pm »

Most definitely - and was a whole lot more fun to fly!

Séamas M. · « **Reply #359 on:** 21 October, 2012, 12:51:22 am »

Quote from: clarion on 01 October, 2012, 11:58:59 am

The SF260 edges it in style.

It's on my Lottery Win shopping list.

My daughter was highly impressed when I identified the one used in the recent Plane Crash documentary, before it was name checked by the narrator.

I think most of those training aircraft designed from the mid 50's up to the recent Tucano and Pilatus types have at least sub-consciously mimiced the appearance of the P-51, because that's how a fighter really should look.

I'll go and hide now.

Bicycle Repair Man · « **Reply #360 on:** 26 October, 2012, 07:43:22 am »

Now then chaps,

Hereare some pics from Waddington Air Show. Sorry it has taken so long, I have been so busy over the last few months I never seemed to have the time to sort the pics.

First one is the Frecce Tricolori in their Aermacchi MB338s

next is their singleton that kept wizzing back and forth in all manner of strange attitudes.

A "Rivet Joint" full of electronic wizardry

One of the "Saudi Hawks" team

and last for this morning a Tornado doing its "Role Demo"

Pics are not brilliant as the weather was rubbish. More to follow when I get them sorted.

Cheers

Dave Yates

Bicycle Repair Man · « **Reply #361 on:** 27 November, 2012, 08:14:51 pm »

Seen over the workshop on Friday

The new Spitfire LF16e rebuilt by the staff at the BBMF on its third flight since rebuild complete. Brightened up an otherwise mundane day

Picture is a bit rubbish but it was a long way off and I have had to blow it up a bit

Dave Yates

clarion · « **Reply #362 on:** 27 November, 2012, 10:45:56 pm »

That is interesting. And unusual.

pcolbeck · « **Reply #363 on:** 30 November, 2012, 07:25:50 am »

Clipped wing (for low level fast roll ability) and a Packard built Griffin. Fast and agile !

Bicycle Repair Man · « **Reply #364 on:** 30 November, 2012, 01:00:24 pm »

Quote

Clipped wing (for low level fast roll ability) and a Packard built Griffin. Fast and agile !

First bit correct but I think you will find its a Packard built Merlin rather than a Griffon
{ switch "pedant mode" to off}

Dave Yates

Exit Stage Left · « **Reply #365 on:** 30 November, 2012, 01:31:04 pm »

Quote from: Bicycle Repair Man on 30 November, 2012, 01:00:24 pm

Quote
Clipped wing (for low level fast roll ability) and a Packard built Griffin. Fast and agile !

First bit correct but I think you will find its a Packard built Merlin rather than a Griffon
{ switch "pedant mode" to off}

Dave Yates

It looks like it's a tank-busting variant for ground attack.
The story of Ford Merlins is little known. They built 34,000 at Trafford Park. They completely redrew the plans to allow for their closer tolerances.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a4628667.shtml

TimC · « **Reply #366 on:** 30 November, 2012, 02:20:57 pm »

Quote from: Bicycle Repair Man on 27 November, 2012, 08:14:51 pm

Seen over the workshop on Friday

The new Spitfire LF16e rebuilt by the staff at the BBMF on its third flight since rebuild complete. Brightened up an otherwise mundane day
Picture is a bit rubbish but it was a long way off and I have had to blow it up a bit

Dave Yates

Hadn't flown for 58 years before this rebuild! It's marked as 4-DV, the aircraft of Sqn Ldr Tony Reeves, OC No 74 Sqn at the end of WW2. 74 had received the aircraft for the tank-busting role in Egypt, but ended up using them supporting the D-Day landings in the fighter-bomber role.

Bicycle Repair Man · « **Reply #367 on:** 30 November, 2012, 02:50:04 pm »

Quote from: Exit Stage Left on 30 November, 2012, 01:31:04 pm

Quote from: Bicycle Repair Man on 30 November, 2012, 01:00:24 pm
Quote
Clipped wing (for low level fast roll ability) and a Packard built Griffin. Fast and agile !

First bit correct but I think you will find its a Packard built Merlin rather than a Griffon
{ switch "pedant mode" to off}

Dave Yates

It looks like it's a tank-busting variant for ground attack.
The story of Ford Merlins is little known. They built 34,000 at Trafford Park. They completely redrew the plans to allow for their closer tolerances.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a4628667.shtml

Packard Merlins were built in America. The LFXVIE variant was basically a MkIX with the Packard 266 Merlin designed for low level operation ie single stage supercharger as opposed to two stage for higer altitudes, clipped wings to increase roll rate and the "E" wing, 4x20mm cannons and 4x.5 machineguns. As Tim says this one had the bomb racks fitted for ground attack.
I should see lots of this next year when the display season starts

Dave Yates

sg37409 · « **Reply #368 on:** 02 December, 2012, 03:25:58 am »

A bit too big for under the tree.

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #369 on:** 02 December, 2012, 03:57:27 am »

That is a lot of shrink-wrapping.

spesh · « **Reply #370 on:** 02 December, 2012, 06:46:38 pm »

Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 December, 2012, 03:57:27 am

That is a lot of shrink-wrapping.

True, but it's nowhere near as much packaging as what Amazon would use if sg37409 wanted a B-29 next to his ~~Crimblemass tree~~ house.

sg37409 · « **Reply #371 on:** 03 December, 2012, 05:55:24 am »

Well spotted.spesh it's a gift wrapped.b29. Gift.wrapped.for.only.3.99 from amazon. f you like planes and are ever in Seattle, the flight museum is a must. One of their volunteers called rex, an ex navy pilot took me round. His stories and commentary added so much to my visit.

TheLurker · « **Reply #372 on:** 15 January, 2013, 01:13:19 pm »

No photo. Sorry. A U2 inbound to Fairford about 10 minutes ago.

clarion · « **Reply #373 on:** 15 January, 2013, 02:21:36 pm »

That's a very rare one.

Jaded · « **Reply #374 on:** 23 January, 2013, 01:51:41 pm »

A clipped Lightning.

I've seen it quite a few times, on the A46 south of the Cross Hands pub, north of the M4 jnct.