Possibly the 1958 edition Treaders...


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....61cda23c08.jpg

Not the PZL P.50 Jastrząb.

I can see that now, I should have waited!

You may very well be right! I used to scour the second hand book stalls at airshows and picked up a few old Observers for not a lot...

It's a LWD/WSK Junak

I have a 1961 Observer's World Aircraft Directory and it is indeed a LWD Junak 3 (page 327)

Described as a two-seat primary trainer used by the Polish Air Force.

Yes it's the LWD Junak 3, and it seems Noyade found it first, so over to you.

Thanks teusje - but I'm gonna have to call open house.

All contenders,
I am currently at post 900 (almost 100 challenges) to make an inventory of all challenges.
If you want to help please send a PM and I will share the excel file with you and we divide the work.

Open House challenge:


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....dd44c86445.jpg

Looks just like a Canberra.

It isn't a Canberra, sorry.....

Nene powered Gloster Meteor F.4?

Sunday Edit:

flickr says F.4.
Wiki says F.8?


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....7028ef237f.jpg

Tupolev Tu-12?

Not a Tupolev Tu-12....

that picture from Noyade looks pretty convincing!

But could there be a French connection ?

There is no French connection.......

.......as far as I'm aware!

French - I was influenced by the aircraft behind the Meteor in the link https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fc/28/a9/f...d4cec4d6bb.jpg
but on reflection that could be the SB5.

Thus a Meteor RR Nene engine jet dflection test bed.

And a guess at F'boro airshow static display

Normally one should wait 24 hrs before confirming the answer, but I will be away from my computer by then...

The aircraft in question is indeed RA490, a Meteor F Mk 4 test bed converted by Westlands, fitted with 2 x RR Nenes and deflection ducts. The aim of the conversion was to allow the aircraft to be used as a deflected jet experimental aeroplane; as the Nenes had to be positioned sufficiently far forward to allow the deflected thrust point to be reasonably close to the Centre of Mass, large nacelles were needed. The aircraft was also fitted with an F Mk 8 tail unit and additional vertical surfaces on the tailplane. It could be flown at speeds as low as 65 KIAS - presumably at a safe height as without a bang seat life would have been interesting with an engine failure!

The aircraft next to RA490 in safetypee's photo is indeed WG768, the Short SB5 in one of its many configurations. As it's in the low tail post-1954 configuration, I suspect that the photo could well have been taken at the 1955 Royal Aircraft Establishment's 50th anniversary at Farnborough.

Westlands used to have a site at RAF Merryfield (it's now an official gypsy site); nearby were a couple of tunnels under the concrete hardstanding with large 90° ducts at one end, venting to atmosphere at the other. As a small boy, once the RN's Sea Venoms had returned to Yeovilton and the aerodrome virtually abandoned, I explored the tunnels wondering what they'd been used for. Doubtless the def-jet Meteor was positioned over them to test the installation. Pictures exist of RA490 at what is clearly Merryfield (there's a particular type of tree in the background which I well remember!), but I think that the aircraft was flown to RAF Farnborough for trials work, also at RAE Bedford.

safetypee, you had the best answer, so over to you!