is the challenge German?

Verdammt, nicht!

Looks like it was designed by the Farnborough chaps?

A Bloater?


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ae5cbc938c.jpg

That must rate as one of the worst-named aircraft ever

Noyade has it.

Cheers Mel.

Try this.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d67b42370f.jpg

OK I’ll start. The front end and engines looks like a Kangaroo, but not the back end.

It certainly does have a Joey-like pouch up front for the pilot and one passenger. The tail can fit six more passengers. Smaller than it looks with a wingspan of only 38'.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6af2aec559.png

Is it Australian then?

Not this time.

38’ wingspan for eight people and two motors? That’s some wing loading, even with two.
In spite of the peaky blinders they look American?

Yes - American.
Small motors.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b6608e46f5.jpg

Oh well that narrows it down to a few thousand!

A big name like Curtiss or a couple of obscure guys working in a garage somewhere?

Let me try and narrow it down for you. :)

Check out this guy - Jake Moellendick - apparently a bit of a dick in real life, but he funded an aeronautical company with a few "obscure guys" who later branched out on their own and eventually became big names in American aviation.
The machine above with the twin OX-5 engines, was involved in a crash with Walter Beech flying it - eventually re-engined with a single 300 hp Packard. All this was somewhere around 1921.

https://airbornerambler.wordpress.co...e-air-capital/


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....5fa5288096.png

Thanks for the hint and the link - Jake did indeed know a few “obscure guys” who went on to better things. I found the machine in question (and two became one!) but again will let others play for a while while I do Other Stuff today.

It's the Laird Limousine, designed by Emil Laird in a company financed and part-run by Moellndick. Though highly innovative it was grossly underpowered with two Curtiss OX5s, fared little better when remodeled with a 250Hp Liberty, and same again with the final engine, a 300Hp Liberty

In twin OX5 mode

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....aac519bc0a.png

In interim Liberty mode
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e19fdf2558.png

:ok:
Over to you Mel.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....438a1f42d5.png

not a glider then...............

Turned out to be a bit of a 'bomb' during the test phase.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....9150cf9e1b.jpg

I'm not sure why Gunston captioned it "recoverable" - my impression is it hits the ground with 1,000lbs of explosive - nothing remains?


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....c08dee0d41.jpg

https://www.designation-systems.net/...sperry-fb.html