Interesting! Following up the Aeromod Loadstar Model 100 led to the Miller Bipe C which sorta looks similar, but with Pitts-style struts and different back windows. Hmmmm...

While you are all mulling that over, here's another "what is it?"; quite by chance I happened on this image I thought lost for all time on an old memory card just now. I took it at Paul Nalson's aircraft scrapyard by the North Downs Way nearly 20 years ago. Somebody on PPRuNe had seen it and asked if anybody knew what it was, so I trudged up for a squizz on an October Saturday afternoon and took the pic. Again, I've no idea and I don't think we found the solution back then. Anybody?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....f57151751a.jpg

Almost looks a little early Firecracker - ish Treadi

Image seems to have disappeared??

Still on my screen!

I understand that there were about 18 submissions for the Air Staff Target 412, which led to the purchase of the Tucano, Was this possibly one of them?

Maybe the Turbo Firecracker?

Definitely not the Firecracker! My guess is a homebuilt one-off design. There is something familiar about it. I vaguely recall a last letter registration "Q" being visible on the rear fuselage. Possibly a US or French design imported into the UK which didn't meet PFA/CAA permit requirements...?

Maybe an early Glasair? Or a Valmet L70?

I did think Zlin but can;t get a decent match

Surely far too complex for a homebuilt?
Those l/e wing fillets, never seen on a homebuilt. The wing ribs in the wing are 3d pressed, never home-made. The canopy is far too complex.
That's an industrially produced aircraft or I'm a Dutchman!

It was the wing fillets and canopy that prompted me to say 'Early Firecracker - ish '

The fillets are quite narrow, only a foot or two, the Firecracker's are rather wider like a Cherokee. It's got elements of lots of the suggestions but nothing gels! I know Paul Nalson supplies aircraft for films and I did wonder if it is a "bitsa" put together for something but it does look to sophisticated. The Ryson Cloudster crossed my mind but nope, nothing like really, plus only one was built.

Perhaps I should email him and see if he would be kind enough to supply the solution!

Can we consider this challenge parked along with this monstrosity that Bear found but no-one, not even him could ID
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a40e8961c.jpeg

Absolutely, I had meant to post something to that effect and have been distracted. Still may send Paul an email. Actually only about a mile from his premises right now.

Thanks - I've put in my "unknown" folder - in teh hope that one day.....

lets try this to restart normal ops

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a88769303e.jpg

Did Bear ever get an answer from Sisteron about F-WLDE?
I contacted Hirth yesterday in the hope they might know but they said they'd put it around but no-one recognised it.

Don't think so - he'd have told us for sure

Sisteron was not willing to help because of privacy reasons.

the standard response which means "I can't be bothered to help you mate - here's a ready made excuse" - clearly not a Total Aviation Person

I'm convinced that's an attempt at a homebuilt glider tug. The cabin doesn't look big enough for two, there appears to be a rope attached to the tail - and what else would you want 130 - 200BHP for in a tiny aircraft like that? I'd be surprised if it ever got certificated with unfeathering props, as someone observed earlier with an engine failure it's be on its back as quick as a dockyard tart.
Someone in the gliding world must know...do they have a good forum? I haven't found one yet.

well we thrashed it to death originally and never go there - back to a known (if obscure ) aircraft

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....2590669931.jpg