What Cockpit? MK VI
Evening Mel.
Something seems unusual here mate. Control stick looks odd, little windows on the sides, another piece of perspex bottom right and no sign of the wing?
Research vehicle?
Something seems unusual here mate. Control stick looks odd, little windows on the sides, another piece of perspex bottom right and no sign of the wing?
Research vehicle?
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What on earth are the circular paddles on either side about where knees might be? Are they unconventional controls?
Is the control column complete? I don't think it is - the grip is missing. See the aperture in the top of the column where it's spigot would fit. Then the switches on the left and the twin "triggers" would fall to hand...
What are the small windows for, they're there for a good reason. Why did the pilot need to look that way?
It looks smooth and fair (fast) but not built with jet-like strength.
Its something a bit out of the ordinary. Seaplane? Flying boat? More exotic than that? Something experimental?
Is the control column complete? I don't think it is - the grip is missing. See the aperture in the top of the column where it's spigot would fit. Then the switches on the left and the twin "triggers" would fall to hand...
What are the small windows for, they're there for a good reason. Why did the pilot need to look that way?
It looks smooth and fair (fast) but not built with jet-like strength.
Its something a bit out of the ordinary. Seaplane? Flying boat? More exotic than that? Something experimental?
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 25th Jun 2013 at 23:27.
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This aircraft was an experimental aircraft and used for development of a projected aircraft. Unfortunately I am unable to answer ABs questions. However this aircraft did have wings and was powered by a single Gas Turbine. It did have a cockpit canopy and windscreen which are not fitted in this photograph.
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A fascinating cockpit indeed...
AB, some thoughts in response to your own:
There are several odd things in view. It strikes me that these oddities all probably have one fundamental cause. Is it possibly an aircraft built to be flown by a pilot with some physical disability?
The circular paddles might be: a control, and indicator, a restraint?
The thing that looks like a pitchfork end is interesting. I'm not convinced it's operated by the hand holding the control column.
Turning to that column, it looks, to me, as if it may be complete. There is a hole in the top, certainly, but there is also a grip with pushbuttons which could be operated with the hand horizontal.
Windows: for the pilot to look out of, or someone else to look in through?
Also of interest are the two paddle-shaped valve controls on the left.
For some odd reason I'm thinking about crop-dusters...
AB, some thoughts in response to your own:
There are several odd things in view. It strikes me that these oddities all probably have one fundamental cause. Is it possibly an aircraft built to be flown by a pilot with some physical disability?
The circular paddles might be: a control, and indicator, a restraint?
The thing that looks like a pitchfork end is interesting. I'm not convinced it's operated by the hand holding the control column.
Turning to that column, it looks, to me, as if it may be complete. There is a hole in the top, certainly, but there is also a grip with pushbuttons which could be operated with the hand horizontal.
Windows: for the pilot to look out of, or someone else to look in through?
Also of interest are the two paddle-shaped valve controls on the left.
For some odd reason I'm thinking about crop-dusters...
Last edited by TheiC; 26th Jun 2013 at 06:24.
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Good Afternoon David. sorry for the delay. This aircraft was powered by a single Rolls Royce Derwent engine, but not a British aircraft.
TheiC, it was not a crop duster.
TheiC, it was not a crop duster.
Last edited by MReyn24050; 26th Jun 2013 at 12:45.
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That is the one TheiC. The SO M2. 
You have control
The French Air Force drew up a requirement for a jet bomber shortly after then end of the Second World War, with the new bomber expected to have a weight of about 25–30 tonnes and to fly at high-subsonic speeds. Designs were tendered by SNCASO, the SO 4000 and by SNCAC, the SNCAC NC 270, which resulted in SNCASO receiving an order for two manned scale models, the first, the SNCASO M.1 - an unpowered glider which would be tested from atop the first prototype of the Heinkel He 274 which had remained in France post-war and restored to flightworthiness by the French, while the SNCASO M.2 was powered by a single Rolls-Royce Derwent.
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Even more fascinating...
Having posted that it might be the M2, I then found some more pics and convinced myself that it wasn't. Principally, the small windows are too far aft; on the pics of the M2 that I can find (and on the one above) those small windows are well forward of the forward line of the canopy and therefore unlikely to be aft of the instrument panel. Ah well.
I guess that the designers were experimenting with different cockpit elements. The two big paddles are perhaps to do with the outriggers. Presumably, the negative incidence meant that those windows were necessary to permit the pilot to see the sides of the runway in the flare?
Either way, I'm afraid it must be OPEN HOUSE for now.
Having posted that it might be the M2, I then found some more pics and convinced myself that it wasn't. Principally, the small windows are too far aft; on the pics of the M2 that I can find (and on the one above) those small windows are well forward of the forward line of the canopy and therefore unlikely to be aft of the instrument panel. Ah well.
I guess that the designers were experimenting with different cockpit elements. The two big paddles are perhaps to do with the outriggers. Presumably, the negative incidence meant that those windows were necessary to permit the pilot to see the sides of the runway in the flare?
Either way, I'm afraid it must be OPEN HOUSE for now.
Last edited by TheiC; 26th Jun 2013 at 19:55.
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Thanks Mel.
In the UK, we now manufacture some reasonable engines and some bits of airliners. It's difficult to imagine a time when prototype aircraft as different and interesting as this were, if not commonplace, then at least around in some numbers. The hall of research aircraft at Cosford always leaves me feeling a terrible sense of loss.
Thanks for a splendid challenge!
In the UK, we now manufacture some reasonable engines and some bits of airliners. It's difficult to imagine a time when prototype aircraft as different and interesting as this were, if not commonplace, then at least around in some numbers. The hall of research aircraft at Cosford always leaves me feeling a terrible sense of loss.
Thanks for a splendid challenge!
Good challenge Mel and nicely played TheiC.
Not as interesting, but not on the list...
Not as interesting, but not on the list...
Last edited by Noyade; 26th Jun 2013 at 23:40. Reason: Problems...