Silhouette challenge

[MReyn24050]

Next challenge

Thanks Bri. An interesting aircraft, I am somewhat bemused in that the three view plan of thisaircraft shows the engines to be in a pusher configuration yet the photograph of the aircraft indicates that they were in fact in tractor configuration.

Next Challenge:-

Mel

[S'land]

Fairchild-XNQ1?

[MReyn24050]

Mel's Challenge

This one is not the Fairchild-XNQ1 I am afraid.
Mel

[barit1]

Vertical fin/rudder profile is reminiscent of DH, eh?

[evansb]

Dayton Wright FP-2

Regarding the engines, aerofiles.com confuses the issue by saying the FP-2 was originally powered by Hall-Scott L-6 engines, and refitted by Liberty 12 pushers. The tall radiators and narrow frontal area of the pusher engines portrayed on the 3-view would indicate they are Hall-Scott L-6 engines. A photo of the FP-2 taken at Michipicoten Harbour, Lake Superior, Ontario, (where the aircraft crashed after a float brace wire failed shortly after take-off), clearly shows a V-12 tractor engine configuration. Aerofiles incorrectly says the aircraft registration was N-CAED. The aircraft was registered G-CAED.

[MReyn24050]

Mel's Challenge

Thanks Bri. I also did some digging and found a Flight International Archive for the Dec 20 1921 issue it stated

For the power plant two 420 h.p. Liberty engines, driving four-bladed tractor screws, are mounted on the lower plane centre sections. Originally, two 210 h.p. Hall-Scott " L.6 " engines were fitted, driving pusher screws, but the former engines have been installed to ensure a larger reserve of power —especially when flying on one engine—and a higher speed.

Quite a change in engine power.

Regarding the challenge aircraft, I agree the vertical fin/rudder profile is reminiscent of DH but I am unaware of any connection.
Mel

[seacue]

I posted the Dayton-Wright on the "What Cockpit?" thread quite a while ago. My pictures were from a contemporary US aviation magazine.


Note the survey camera beside the pilot's seat.

[sycamore]

And a bunch of flowers on the left !

[skytrain10]

Back to the XNQ-1 lookalike, how about the Maachi MB-323 trainer?

[MReyn24050]

Mel's Challengeskytrain10

skytrain10 has it. It is indeed the Macchi MB-323

You have control

Sorry Bri Spelling

[skytrain10]

Ken's Challenge

Thanks Mel

Right, here we go with something a little different:

[S'land]

It's the GafHawk 125, but we have already had that one I think.

[skytrain10]

S'land...you are right...on both counts! It is the GafHawk...and I must remember to check the list first!

You have control..

[S'land]

Thanks skytrain 10, it is hard to remember how many flying machines we have got through since June last year.

Here is the next one.

[Kitbag]

Macchi M39?

[S'land]

Sorry Kitbag, not the M39.

[LowNSlow]

Looks like the Macchi M.C.72 designed by Mario Castoldi hence the M.C. in the name!!

If I'm right then it's open house chaps and chapettes.

[S'land]

Well done LowNSlow, it is indeed the Macchi MC-72. The MC-72 had two contra-rotating propellers and was powered by two Fiat V-12 engines linked together in-line. A shaft from the rear engine ran through the front engine and then through the front engines hollow drive shaft to power the front propeller, the front engine powering the rear propeller. Although designed to take part in the 1931 Schneider Trophy contest it never did so due to its experimental engine design. However, on 10 April 1933, piloted by Maresciallo (later Tenente) Francesco Agello, it set a new world speed water over water of 682 km/h. On 23 October 1934, again piloted by Francesco Agello, it reached a speed of 709 km/h creating a speed record that would stand for five years. It is still the fastest speed ever attained by a piston engined sea-plane. After achieving this feat the aitcraft was not flown again.





Open House has been declared.

[barit1]

The surviving M.C.72 may be seen at the Vigna di Valle Aircraft Museum, an hour's drive north of Rome, on Lake Bracciano.

Alongside it are two earlier Schneider Cup racers - a race enthusiast's dream!

[aviate1138]

Youtube worth watching.

441 mph is a hell of a speed.

YouTube - Macchi M.C. 72

Pretty too.