Silhouette challenge

[Ridge Runner]

Your challenge. All I can think of is American? Something is written on the fuselage..."DEADEND"...?

Graeme, I don't envy you that!!! And the writing? Well, I don't know!!! The mag cutting that it is from is small and so not clear. It doesn't have any bearing on the type, as far as I'm aware.

RR

PS: Yes... American!

PPS: I re-checked and it says "Pat Pend"!

[Lightning Mate]

Blimey,

I wonder how long the patent has been pending!

[Noyade]

Early sixties? (Disregard if you feel it's too early for clues).

[Ridge Runner]

A little clue wouldn't hurt... Yes, late fifties/early sixties

By the way, it does have an engine! It is a pusher behind the cabin

RR

[Noyade]

OK. Thanks Martin.

Well, I'm logging off to watch the Red Baron and then scour some books for "Pat Pending". Should be recognisable if I see it! I'll see how you guys got on tomorrow morning. Cheers!

[Ridge Runner]

Enjoy the film mate!

[S'land]

Good afternoon all.
I am still having internet problems and am not sure when I will be on-line again. Therefore, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a:

VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Richard

[Ridge Runner]

And to you too, Richard!!! Sorry to hear about your problems. Let's hope they are sorted out quickly! Martin

[Lightning Mate]

...and the same for you Richard.

[Ridge Runner]

Going slow on this one. Before I dish out any clues I'll wait for Skytrain10 to log in as I think he has said before that he finds these car-planes interesting! Martin

[Lightning Mate]

Whilst I am trying to sort out Martins' challenge, and everyone seems to be in festive mood:

[S'land]

Could it be the "Jeep-O-Plane" by Geraci and Simoni?

I doubt that I am right, but if so - Open House.

[Ridge Runner]

Sorry S'land, its not....

Nice F2 LM!!!

[Ridge Runner]

Well now.... Its really quiet!!!

A cluette?

-It is listed in the Smithsonian Directory
-US designed and built
-late 1950s/early 1960s
-a one-off

RR

[Noyade]

-It is listed in the Smithsonian Directory

G'day mate! Thought I found a good Smithsonian site showing all its exhibits but no luck, yet. Then I found in a book a list of aircraft in storage at the Paul E. Garber Facility (part of Smithsonian?). There's around 210 aircraft in storage and most I've never heard of, which sounds promising! So I started working my way through them but some don't Google and then it struck me, maybe I'm on the wrong track?

So, may I ask if the mystery "Pat Pend" is on display?

(DVD was a dud, in my opinion. Have you seen it? Too much CGI. Long live The Blue Max.}

[Ridge Runner]

Hiya mate! I have not seen it shown as being exhibited. RR

Shame about the film!!!

[Ridge Runner]

Oh dear... no ideas!

Well, it was designed by Ken Bailey of Lasallle, USA

That should do it!

RR

[SincoTC]

Morning RR

Very elusive this one, I conclude that it has to be the Avicar BF-8, but I can't track down much info other than that given in your generous clues!

If it is correct, then Open house please as I'm back to work now.

having a coffee and just found this on Aerofiles:

Kenneth Bailey, Dearborn MI.
BF-8 1949 = Odd-looking 2pCB "plane-car" with 85hp pusher motor had no registration, but painted on its side was a large "PAT PEND" to indicate that Mr Bailey had some ambitious plans for his creation. Positive-staggered 8'0" wings, and twin tails on a short-coupled fuselage. No performance data found.

[Lightning Mate]

What's confusing me is that the factory was in Michigan.

[Ridge Runner]

Yes, it is the Bailey BF-8 Avicar. Well done. My photo came from Air Pictorial. Very little seems to be known about it.

Open House has been declared!!