The What is it? Game

[Capt. Vick]

Try this one...

 

[Graeme]

G'day Jim.
Immediate thought was Soviet - but no.
Fixed undercarriage?
American Racer?

Yours Sincerely,
Stumped.

 

[herman1rg]

Hughes H-!?

 

[Capt. Vick]

No and no...too early for a clue I think. Never would have known of it's existence until I received a book that had this picture in it.

 

[GrauGeist]

Potez 53 - the one in the photo still survives and is on display in France.

 

[Graeme]

Brilliant work Dave!

 

[GrauGeist]

Brilliant work Dave!

Thank you, sir!

 

[Capt. Vick]

Well done Sir! Well done!

 

[GrauGeist]

Thanks, Jim!

That was a great challenge, the only reason I got it so fast, was because of reading up on the history of Potez a few years back.
The B&W photo doesn't do it justice, the aircraft is actually a gorgeous blue color.

Anyway, once again, if anyone would like to take my turn, go for it

 

[Capt. Vick]

Yes, I agree! It was in the preface of the original French language edition of the Polikarpov I-16 book I received for free, though it was curiously absent from the English language edition. Perhaps appealing to gallic pride?

 

[Graeme]

New one for 2021....

 

[herman1rg]

OOOh now I think that might not be what one's first thought is.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Is it from New Zealand?

 

[Graeme]

G'day Jim. Not from New Zealand. First flight was in July 1945.

 

[Geedee]

I know this one so I'll keep quiet...it's a beaut !

 

[Graeme]

In the photo (from the net), you can just make out morning reflections on the propeller arc.

Twin piston machine.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Hmmmm...I got nothing

 

[Graeme]

A few more clues then Jim.
British.
Originally built as a 3 seat advanced trainer.
Low powered - wiki says maximum speed around 180 mph.
Post war - the cockpit and nose were reconfigured to explore the prone pilot position.

 

[buffnut453]

Reid and Sigrist RS.3?

I'd never have got there except for the prone pilot clue....there aren't many British types that were configured to evaluate that configuration (the Meteor is the most famous, and the airframe still survives at Cosford). I'd never heard of the RS.3 before today....once again the Forum educates!

 

[Graeme]

That'll do me Mark.

"Although the R.S.3 was evaluated as a trainer, the type never entered production and was eventually rebuilt as the R.S.4 Bobsleigh as an experimental aircraft with the pilot in a prone position, seen as advantageous in minimising g-force effects in fighters."

Aviation Photography - Reid and Sigrist R.S.3 Desford