Heikkis' Silhouette Challenge

[Ridge Runner]

Morning David!

Are we looking from the front, upper? Are those veins at the ends of the "aerofoils"? Jet powered?

RR

[Lightning Mate]

Morning Martin.

You are looking from the front and below.

The vertical structures are control surfaces embedded in the wing leading edge.

Not jet propelled, and launched using RATO.

[Ridge Runner]

OK. A "lifting body" machine perhaps?

[Lightning Mate]

Not really - a blended delta wing.

[Ridge Runner]

OK, I'm stumped!!!

[Lightning Mate]

OK mate - do you have anything prepared, 'cawz I'll give good clues.

[Ridge Runner]

Yes, mate. I have one ready....

[Lightning Mate]

It's a UAV with a rotary petrol engine, and the engine has been specifically designed for that use.

More in a minute.........

[Lightning Mate]

Defence suppression drone.

Designed and built in South Africa late 80s early 90s.

[Ridge Runner]

The Lark?????????

[Lightning Mate]

Bingo!

All yours mate - just as well really because I have to leave shortly.

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks David.

Here's one for whoever is out there!!!!

[Lightning Mate]

I'm still here.

[Lightning Mate]

mmmm.....does it have a horizontally-opposed twin?

[Ridge Runner]

er... no, David

[Lightning Mate]

Now it's me who is stumped.

[Ridge Runner]

OK. Its a mod of a well known machine. It went in to limited production. It had/has a four-cyl lump up front.

Edited to clarify

[Lightning Mate]

Is that mod the fin/rudder?

[Ridge Runner]

Not as far as I know. In fact it looks much like the original ......

[Lightning Mate]

I asked because it reminds me of a similar French job.