Hey Noyade - looks like the designer anticipated the Test Pilots request to make it impossible to get into :)

Was the front end going to be decided after the first flight, once the test pilot had established which way it preferred to go? :)

Looks like the engine is a KFM 107E (direct drive with the prop turning at about 6,000rpm) which could mean microlight; I would say early '80s British maybe derived from the 'Goldwing' canard.

Found a little more (optimistic) info on the Dragon this morning...


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....507ee26105.jpg

Hi Chevron.

British indeed. :)
Mid 80's.
French engine of 22hp.
No connection with Goldwing.
Designer was a former Rolls-Royce engineer and RAF gliding instructor.
Based in Nottingham.
Empty weight of 68kg - "thus exempting it from airworthiness legislation."

Found a wiki article - but no further photos...

I can't find a picture, however, the Snipe Diamond built by Arthur Luff fits the bill with its JPX 425 PUL flat twin two stroke engine. If correct, it sounds like a fascinating aircraft, having an empty weight of 68kg, so eligible for the sub-70kg category of microlights.

The Snipe Diamond it is Mechta. :ok:
Back to you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_Diamond

Thanks Noyade :)

Here's the next one:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....971af836d7.jpg

Nakajima Rufe?

Aichi M6A

B2N2m I know why you have suggested that, however I'm pretty sure it is incorrect.

Kenparry, afraid not.

Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)?

Well done Noyade! Over to you.

Yes, it is the Aichi E16A Zuiun 'Auspicious Cloud', (Allied reporting name 'Paul'). Unusually for a floatplane it was intended to be a dive bomber and had dive brakes built into the unusually broad chord front float struts. 256 were built.

Like B2N2, I initially thought it was the Aichi M6, as there is a picture labelled Aichi M6a on Google. As the Aichi M6A2 was fitted with a Mitsubushi radial engine I assumed it was that. The misnamed picture was linked to a Youtube video which showed a variety of Japanese floatplanes.
It turned out that the M6A was intended to be launched from a submarine and had floats with simple cantilever legs so they could be jettisoned, so it was unlikely to be that.



https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....239df0f765.jpg
Aichi E16A Zuiun 'Auspicious Cloud' (Paul)

Cheers Mechta!


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....615cad467a.jpg

Could this be another Japanese WW2 type? Looks familiar. And definitley NOT the Noordyn (spelling?) Norseman from the late 1930s/WW2 era.

I started looking for "Storch-like" Japanese monoplanes.

How about the Kokusai Ki-76?

Indeed it is India! :ok:
Over to you mate.

Apparently better performance than the Storch - except for landing distance...


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....2817009412.jpg

Thanks Noyade,

An interesting aircraft that I had never heard of before.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b97a10fc02.jpg

Here's something more modern:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ca8cd5ef6f.jpg