Heikkis' Silhouette Challenge
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Thanks the one, One11!!!!
By 1937, the LVA was looking for a modern instruction plane for flyers, observers and gunners. Koolhoven received the list of demands end 1937. In February 1938 the prototype performed a first flight. In this prototype, a low wing with upward slant was used. It had a fixed undercarriage and a fully enclosed cockpit. The fuselage was abnormally long, to house the observer. The plane was engined by a Wright Whirlwind.
The second prototype differed considerably from this. It had a straight wing, placed much higher; and a shorter cockpit, situated further forward. The observer was not in the cockpit but sat in the open air. The undercarriage was now made retractable, in large bulbs below the fuselage.
The final model, of which the LVA ordered 20, had a further improved undercarriage - now fully retractable into the wing. The FK-56 again had technical problems. During the delivery flight of the first LVA plane, a wing broke off .... The wing design was of course revised. By May 1940 the LVA had received 10 of the 20 ordered. Not a single one of these has actually flown due to the outbreak of the war
In 1938, Koolhoven received an order from the Belgian Air Force (Aéronautique Militaire Belge) for 20 FK-56, destined for the École de Pilotage Avancé. In these, an Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah was used. However, serious problems arose with the delivery of the engines. Consequently the first seven FK-56 could only be delivered shortly before May 1940. They never flew operationally. The other 13 were never built, as the Koolhoven factory was bombed out by then.
You have control!!!!
By 1937, the LVA was looking for a modern instruction plane for flyers, observers and gunners. Koolhoven received the list of demands end 1937. In February 1938 the prototype performed a first flight. In this prototype, a low wing with upward slant was used. It had a fixed undercarriage and a fully enclosed cockpit. The fuselage was abnormally long, to house the observer. The plane was engined by a Wright Whirlwind.
The second prototype differed considerably from this. It had a straight wing, placed much higher; and a shorter cockpit, situated further forward. The observer was not in the cockpit but sat in the open air. The undercarriage was now made retractable, in large bulbs below the fuselage.
The final model, of which the LVA ordered 20, had a further improved undercarriage - now fully retractable into the wing. The FK-56 again had technical problems. During the delivery flight of the first LVA plane, a wing broke off .... The wing design was of course revised. By May 1940 the LVA had received 10 of the 20 ordered. Not a single one of these has actually flown due to the outbreak of the war
In 1938, Koolhoven received an order from the Belgian Air Force (Aéronautique Militaire Belge) for 20 FK-56, destined for the École de Pilotage Avancé. In these, an Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah was used. However, serious problems arose with the delivery of the engines. Consequently the first seven FK-56 could only be delivered shortly before May 1940. They never flew operationally. The other 13 were never built, as the Koolhoven factory was bombed out by then.
You have control!!!!
Last edited by Ridge Runner; 26th Oct 2011 at 08:20.
!!
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wales, UK
Age: 65
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Hi LM. Just do a search on the web....it's there...5th item down on a google search
Martin, unfortunately I am not in a position to post as will be offline for the next few hours.
Martin, unfortunately I am not in a position to post as will be offline for the next few hours.
M
I have received a wonderful reply from Anja-Christina, in German. That's probably because I wrote to her in German. She is somewhat taken aback by the Prune responses, to which I directed her.
I'll translate it tomorrow and PM it to you.
Now - about a challenge.....
I'll translate it tomorrow and PM it to you.
Now - about a challenge.....
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wales, UK
Age: 65
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Thanks LM. With all that has happened it's really nice of her to reply so quickly.
Guy's, as no one has posted, I do have one available but won't be able to check for at least 3 hours. Shall I go for it or does anyone else have something ready?
Guy's, as no one has posted, I do have one available but won't be able to check for at least 3 hours. Shall I go for it or does anyone else have something ready?
