Hi India.
Yes mate, a biplane. Span was 91' 8".

Here's more...
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0d67454bfb.jpg

Who was it said "I would rather be lucky than good"?

I had assumed that the inline engines indicated a European aircraft, but after many fruitless searches, I decided to have a look at US aircraft, even though every 1930s biplane airliner, that I was aware of, used radials.

I was looking at the Curtiss T-32 Condor II, which was too small and had round engines, when I stumbled on this:


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1d6415dbca.png

The Curtis Model 53 Condor, powered by the Curtiss V12 Conqueror. The aircraft and the engine are both new to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_Model_53_Condor

Well, I thought the engine installation looked extraordinarily neat for the presumed period, and of course it was because the engine was ancestral to so many classic types (or at least, the D-12 was).

Nicely found India! :ok:
Over to you sir.

What a remarkably clean design for a biplane, particularly in comparison to its contemporary, the HP 42. It was 16 mph faster and had the same range, while carrying 18 passengers versus 24 in the HP 42.

Try this one. I'll reveal more if required.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b84232f66.jpeg

Hmmm...

• low set horizontal stabilizer, so not likely to be jet powered.
• not anything De Havilland, as that designer would for have have been sacked for not using the traditional curved shape on the fin and rudder.
• the markings look British, so I am looking for something British that was never built in any great number and is virtually unknown.

I'll go for the Heston JC.6
Wikipedia says that only 2 were built. The un-tapered booms are a bit of a recognition give-away.

Well, it's 23h45m since I posted and I need to go out, so I'll declare that Terry is correct. The Heston JC.6 which competed for the A.2/45 AOP contract which was won by the Auster AOP.6.

About the same wing loading as the AOP.6, but it had a Gipsy Queen engine, so I imagine weight and fuel consumption were an issue.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....299c81d099.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heston_JC.6

TD has control. Good analysis by the way.

Thanks India Four Two.
I suspect that I am not the only one that had never heard of the Heston JC.6 before your challenge.
There is something new to learn every day.

Here is another aircraft that only 2 were ever built.
It had outstanding performance, but production was canceled because WW2 ended and jet engines had arrived,

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....bfafb46b70.jpg

6 Blades.
Republic XP-72 No.2 (43-6599)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_XP-72

Yes. It is the XP-72, which was a sort of super P-47 with 50% more power.
Interestingly, it had an engine driven cooling fan behind the spinner and side cowl flaps/exhaust like the FW-190.
The other (#1) aircraft did not have contra-rotating props.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....83e9b36e2f.jpg
Well spotted Noyade, you have control.

Thanks Terry!
Must make it Open House unfortunately.

This is somewhat obscure I think...

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....00d7e13c19.jpg

Mr C.G. Grey called it a Mexican Monoplane in 1919.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....26f4a6341c.jpg
Whereas the Russians call it the TNCA Series H...

TNCA Serie H

It is indeed - a Mexican built bomber - I think someone has built a replica -

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b41e61383e.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....606222d6db.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....f61af0dc61.jpg

Cheers!



https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e4e96c4611.png

Collar & tie - a gentleman then.....................

Yes, rather dapper looking fellow with an intense posture - and the aircraft firmly on the ground.
Fighter from the USA - with a convoluted designation, based on a well known design.
Very famous manufacturer.

Possibly Boeing?

Sorry mate, not Boeing.