What Cockpit? MK VI
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Townsville, Qld, Australia
Age: 83
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, not the Fletcher (or any other NZ aircraft) or the Pacific Aerospace 750XL.
Clue: This aircraft has an unusual landing gear arrangement which is not apparent at first glance.
Clue: This aircraft has an unusual landing gear arrangement which is not apparent at first glance.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Age: 64
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, it's single engine prop (probably turbo-prop). It's got really up-to-date instrumentation and radios (Garmin 430/530). I'm a bit stumped by the diagonal structures on each sidewall - possibly composite construction.
How about either the Czech Ae-720 or the ?? Epic ?
C2j
How about either the Czech Ae-720 or the ?? Epic ?
C2j
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Townsville, Qld, Australia
Age: 83
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C2j...
Yes, this aircraft is a single engine turboprop. It also uses composite construction, especially in one unusual place.
The wings, empennage and some sub-structures are metal.
Sadly, it is neither the Czech Ae 270 nor the American Epic.
Glenn
Yes, this aircraft is a single engine turboprop. It also uses composite construction, especially in one unusual place.
The wings, empennage and some sub-structures are metal.
Sadly, it is neither the Czech Ae 270 nor the American Epic.
Glenn
Last edited by ozbeowulf; 10th Feb 2008 at 06:28.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: New Zealand
Age: 69
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like the turbine version of the Explorer. Here is the piston version as at Oshkosh 1999. Sounded a really promising aircraft, but haven't heard anything about it since then.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Townsville, Qld, Australia
Age: 83
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Planegill is correct! Well done, David! 
Over to you...
It is indeed the Explorer 500T, the turbine powered proof of concept aircraft from Explorer Aircraft, Inc, the American company who bought the design from AEA, the Australian firm who built the piston-engine-powered version shown in your correct answer.
More photos here...
http://www.exploreraircraft.com/photos.php
and don't miss seeing the unusual landing gear retraction/extension sequence in the streaming video at the bottom of the page. If you thought the Cessna 337 gear cycle looked odd, you'll love this one!
Glenn
Over to you...It is indeed the Explorer 500T, the turbine powered proof of concept aircraft from Explorer Aircraft, Inc, the American company who bought the design from AEA, the Australian firm who built the piston-engine-powered version shown in your correct answer.
More photos here...
http://www.exploreraircraft.com/photos.php
and don't miss seeing the unusual landing gear retraction/extension sequence in the streaming video at the bottom of the page. If you thought the Cessna 337 gear cycle looked odd, you'll love this one!
Glenn
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nottingham UK
Age: 84
Posts: 5,575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Planegill's challenge
Looks like an American Twin engined aircraft possibly early 1930s. Interesting fuel gauge bottom right on the panel, not sure if that is a contents guage for four tanks?
Just a wild guess a Consolidated Model 16 Commodore / XPY-1?
Mel
Just a wild guess a Consolidated Model 16 Commodore / XPY-1?
Mel
Last edited by MReyn24050; 11th Feb 2008 at 16:41.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Townsville, Qld, Australia
Age: 83
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Planegill's challenge...
I bet you're right, Bri.
That sure looks like a Douglas yoke of the period and the open cockpit would explain why the engine controls aren't on the roof.
Glenn
That sure looks like a Douglas yoke of the period and the open cockpit would explain why the engine controls aren't on the roof.
Glenn
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: New Zealand
Age: 69
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aha, I have come up with a challenge that has got some heads scratching at last. Mel has some aspects correct, it is twin engined from the 1930s.
However it is not from Convair, or Douglas.
However it is not from Convair, or Douglas.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nottingham UK
Age: 84
Posts: 5,575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Planegill's challenge
Mel has some aspects correct, it is twin engined from the 1930s.
Mel
The instruments (particularly the Turn and Slip) and the wheel look American to me. Also the labelling on the circuit breaker panel. I still don't have a clue what it is though 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Townsville, Qld, Australia
Age: 83
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Bri...
Glad I managed to come up with a new one for you. This forum has certainly shown me many, many aircraft I had never heard of.
Also, while scrabbling around the net trying to find answers for delightfully obscure birds such as the current challenge, I keep bumping into more unusual flying machines. My "possible challenges" folder grows fatter every day. [Insert evil chuckle here]
Glenn
Glad I managed to come up with a new one for you. This forum has certainly shown me many, many aircraft I had never heard of.
Also, while scrabbling around the net trying to find answers for delightfully obscure birds such as the current challenge, I keep bumping into more unusual flying machines. My "possible challenges" folder grows fatter every day. [Insert evil chuckle here]
Glenn