What Cockpit? MK VI
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Kitbag's challenge?
I cannot imagine the purpose of that black circle, it may be an optical illusion, in that I would expect it to be clear.
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Correction to post 381
I checked an alternate reference this evening when I got home regarding the 'black circle'. In one photo it is a clear panel, but in a couple of others it is a typical Germanic defensive gun mount for a 7.9mm weapon. Not sure that is any help, but I like to keep the record straight.
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You seem to be flying a bit of a kite there Windriver. This type was very different to conventional aircraft, and was even built after the war, so useful was it. Also achieved many world records that stood for a long time.
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You got it evansbe, it is the Focke Achgelis FA223 Drache (Paper) Kite, an allusion to its frontal view apparently 
Just to illustrate the point about the different circular panel see below:
Examples were built or assembled post war by SNCASE in France were the designer Heinrich Focke worked and Avia in Czechoslvakia. First helicopter to cross the English Channel, held helicopter records for speed, climb rate and ceiling for a considerable time after the war.
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Just to illustrate the point about the different circular panel see below:
Examples were built or assembled post war by SNCASE in France were the designer Heinrich Focke worked and Avia in Czechoslvakia. First helicopter to cross the English Channel, held helicopter records for speed, climb rate and ceiling for a considerable time after the war.
You have control
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First (and probably only) thoughts: large biplane bomber type, looking at glazing below and forward of pilots position it puts me in mind of those Amiot designs of the 30's, however this is much earlier- late WWI? and possibly Russian. Is that a handbrake on the right, or a throttle for a single engine? And what is happening between the pilots? Looks like a very strange game of dominoes to me.
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Kite warning... Looks like something from circa 1920... twin engined. Ignoring the unknown 'dominoes' the pedestal layout seems to be quite advanced for the time. I'm quite confident it's unpressurised
Was it a factory mock up prepared for display at an exhibition perhaps?
Was it a factory mock up prepared for display at an exhibition perhaps?
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The aircraft flew in the early 1920s. Not military. No actual glazing for the pilots, as they wore goggles. The console pedestal displays early use of electric switches to the engineers. I cannot explain the absence of flight instruments.
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evansb's challenge
Kitbag is correct.
Well done. The giant Caproni Ca.60 Transaero Noviplano, eight engine flying boat flew only once, in 1921, and crashed, killing the test pilot. A truly awesome aeroplane from a design and engineering standpoint. The crew comprised 2 pilots and 6 engineers. YouTube has a video of the aircraft taken prior to its maiden flight, posted by Bomberguy. Search 'Count Gianni Caproni'. You have control.
Well done. The giant Caproni Ca.60 Transaero Noviplano, eight engine flying boat flew only once, in 1921, and crashed, killing the test pilot. A truly awesome aeroplane from a design and engineering standpoint. The crew comprised 2 pilots and 6 engineers. YouTube has a video of the aircraft taken prior to its maiden flight, posted by Bomberguy. Search 'Count Gianni Caproni'. You have control.
