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View Full Version : Aircraft type and history please.


evansb
23rd Nov 2006, 00:40
What is the history of this aircraft?

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/CapelisXC-12.jpg

CoodaShooda
23rd Nov 2006, 04:20
FRom http://www.godickson.com/Herb_Torberg.htm


Capelis XC-12 Revised cockpit and windows (Frank Rezich coll) Capelis XC-12 Oakland Airport (William T Larkins) XC-12 1933 = 12pClwM rg*; two 525hp Wright Cyclone; span: 55'0" length: 42'0" load: 3000# v: 220/190/65. Dr John E Younger; POP: 1 [X12762]. All-metal; triple biplane tail; partly-retracting gear, which extended automatically when the throttle was closed. Funded by local Greek restaurateurs as a promotional aircraft, and constructed with help from University of California students. US patent #1,745,600 issued to Socrates H Capelis, of El Cerrito, in 1930 (a modified application for patent of the design with a half-span dorsal wing and two more engines appears in 1932). The main spar was bolted together, and much of the skin attached with P-K screws rather than rivets. These tended to vibrate loose, requiring tightening or replacing every few flights. Promotional tours were soon abandoned, and its career ended as a movie prop, appearing in ground roles in several motion pictures ("Five Came Back" 1939, "Flying Tigers" 1942, others) before being scrapped c.1943. Flying shots in films were of a model; the plane itself was grounded by the studio's insurance company.

Capelis XC-12: flown to GCA from OAK via Fresno by Jack Beilby, Mose's right-hand man. The X-12 made a wheels-up landing at Fresno, with little damage and Jack continued on to GCA. Never flew again, but was extensively modified (windshield, etc.) for movie work by Timm."

av8boy
23rd Nov 2006, 04:23
http://www.godickson.com/Herb_Torberg.htm

Scroll down. Same tail number, but don't know if it's the same airframe.

evansb
23rd Nov 2006, 12:34
CoodaShooda and av8boy. Thank you. :ok: Its all I need for now. Cheers!