Silhouette challenge
Join Date: Oct 2008
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It flew in, and yes, it flew out.
It was to have taken part in the 1982 Unlimited air race at Reno, but it never flew, despite being there.
The only photo of the aircraft that I can find on the web was taken in the 90's at Oshkosh.
It was to have taken part in the 1982 Unlimited air race at Reno, but it never flew, despite being there.
The only photo of the aircraft that I can find on the web was taken in the 90's at Oshkosh.
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Hi WK and Teusje
You've got it (but which one of you?)
. The aircraft concerned is now registered N71RH, but at the time of my photo, it was N51TD (subsequently taken up by a different aircraft now), which was the registration it wore at the time of the 1982 Reno Air Races. The aircraft is listed by the Reno organisers and the FAA as the D'Alessandris JT-SP. However very interestingly it wore a small title on it simply saying Hawk (unfortunately that does not show in my own photo below).
I think I must award it to Teusje, as he has come up with the name it is officially recorded by. My apologies to you WK, as no doubt you had the right aircraft. Incidentally it is shown in much modified form as N71RH on the Abpics website at Oshkosh in 1990: D'Alessandris JT-SP, N71RH, Private Again it is recorded as the JT-SP.
But very well done to you both...I think as teusje has declard Open House, perhaps WK would care to take that offer?
You've got it (but which one of you?)
. The aircraft concerned is now registered N71RH, but at the time of my photo, it was N51TD (subsequently taken up by a different aircraft now), which was the registration it wore at the time of the 1982 Reno Air Races. The aircraft is listed by the Reno organisers and the FAA as the D'Alessandris JT-SP. However very interestingly it wore a small title on it simply saying Hawk (unfortunately that does not show in my own photo below).I think I must award it to Teusje, as he has come up with the name it is officially recorded by. My apologies to you WK, as no doubt you had the right aircraft. Incidentally it is shown in much modified form as N71RH on the Abpics website at Oshkosh in 1990: D'Alessandris JT-SP, N71RH, Private Again it is recorded as the JT-SP.
But very well done to you both...I think as teusje has declard Open House, perhaps WK would care to take that offer?
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Hi skytrain10.
Isn`t funny that both answers came from the Low Countries. We know our classics!
You made my day with your post. I got the same aircraft in my database twice and now I can finally make the combination.
It seems the aircraft started as the Thompson Special by John. A. Thompson and first flew in September 1977 as N51TD. It was built, I understand, purely for personal use and was indeed based on a modified Midget Mustang fuselage. Engine at the time was reported as 310hp t/s Lycoming TIO-540. Apparently Mr. d`Alessandris later modified it as racer (JT-SP for John Tompson Special?), got registration N71RH and engine was then reported as 417hp (modified) IO-540.
Externally N71RH differed from N51TD in having a prominent dorsal fairing ahead of the vertical tail.
I think Teusje and myself will now rest on our laurels (don`t know it that works in English) and suggest OPEN HOUSE
Isn`t funny that both answers came from the Low Countries. We know our classics!
You made my day with your post. I got the same aircraft in my database twice and now I can finally make the combination.
It seems the aircraft started as the Thompson Special by John. A. Thompson and first flew in September 1977 as N51TD. It was built, I understand, purely for personal use and was indeed based on a modified Midget Mustang fuselage. Engine at the time was reported as 310hp t/s Lycoming TIO-540. Apparently Mr. d`Alessandris later modified it as racer (JT-SP for John Tompson Special?), got registration N71RH and engine was then reported as 417hp (modified) IO-540.
Externally N71RH differed from N51TD in having a prominent dorsal fairing ahead of the vertical tail.
I think Teusje and myself will now rest on our laurels (don`t know it that works in English) and suggest OPEN HOUSE
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WK...thanks for your comments. I photographed it at Tucson in 1981. I was told by someone there that it was Mr Alexandrer's aircraft (thats how I wrote it down at the time). I think I saw it listed in AMCAR or Aviation Letter later that year as the D'Alessandris JT-SP, and as is recorded on the net, it was listed as such at the 1982 Reno Air Races, where at the time it was still registered N51TD. But it did definitely have the name Hawk written on it!
Have a look at the photo of N71RH on the Abpics website. Clearly the front end has been modified from my picture, and the exhausts on the side are no longer present. I presume that means the engine has been downgraded to something less powerful?
Anyway thanks again for your contribution....Open House it is.
Have a look at the photo of N71RH on the Abpics website. Clearly the front end has been modified from my picture, and the exhausts on the side are no longer present. I presume that means the engine has been downgraded to something less powerful?
Anyway thanks again for your contribution....Open House it is.
