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Little known / experimental aircraft
- Thread starter Randy Daytona
- Start date
You want unconventional, you got it: the Curtiss-Wright P-55 Ascender. The birdcage style canopy dates it to pre-WW2 (or early WW2).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss-Wright_XP-55_Ascender
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss-Wright_XP-55_Ascender
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/kyushu-j7w1-shinden-magnificent-lightning
Japanese had a similar design.
Japanese had a similar design.
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Looks like the monoplane version of a Crimson Skies Devastator.You want unconventional, you got it: the Curtiss-Wright P-55 Ascender. The birdcage style canopy dates it to pre-WW2 (or early WW2).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss-Wright_XP-55_Ascender
The Dornier 335. 2 engines in a tractor / pusher configuation
French ace Pierre Clostermann claimed the first Allied combat encounter with a Pfeil in April 1945. In his book The Big Show (pp. 273–274) he describes leading a flight of four Hawker Tempests from No. 3 Squadron RAF over northern Germany, when he intercepted a lone Do 335 flying at maximum speed at treetop level. Detecting the British aircraft, the German pilot reversed course to evade. Despite the Tempests' considerable low altitude speed, the Royal Air Force fighters were not able to catch up or even get into firing position.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_335
French ace Pierre Clostermann claimed the first Allied combat encounter with a Pfeil in April 1945. In his book The Big Show (pp. 273–274) he describes leading a flight of four Hawker Tempests from No. 3 Squadron RAF over northern Germany, when he intercepted a lone Do 335 flying at maximum speed at treetop level. Detecting the British aircraft, the German pilot reversed course to evade. Despite the Tempests' considerable low altitude speed, the Royal Air Force fighters were not able to catch up or even get into firing position.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_335
There's one at Udvar Hazy; very cool looking airplane.The Dornier 335. 2 engines in a tractor / pusher configuation
French ace Pierre Clostermann claimed the first Allied combat encounter with a Pfeil in April 1945. In his book The Big Show (pp. 273–274) he describes leading a flight of four Hawker Tempests from No. 3 Squadron RAF over northern Germany, when he intercepted a lone Do 335 flying at maximum speed at treetop level. Detecting the British aircraft, the German pilot reversed course to evade. Despite the Tempests' considerable low altitude speed, the Royal Air Force fighters were not able to catch up or even get into firing position.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_335
Many people know the "Enola Gay" dropped the first atomic bomb, fewer know that "Bock's Car" dropped the second. Interesting modifications to the B-29's of this special unit:
Like its sistership, Enola Gay, 44-27297 was a specially modified “Silverplate” B-29. The Silverplate B-29s differed from the standard production bombers in many ways. They were approximately 6,000 pounds (2,722 kilograms) lighter. The bomber carried no armor. Additional fuel tanks were installed in the rear bomb bay...With the exception of the tail gunner’s position, all defensive armament—four powered remotely operated gun turrets with ten .50-caliber machine guns—were deleted.
Interesting mission details in the article - "Bock's Car" had 1 engine flame out due to fuel starvation as it touched down and another engine flame out taxing in.
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/2017/08/09/
Like its sistership, Enola Gay, 44-27297 was a specially modified “Silverplate” B-29. The Silverplate B-29s differed from the standard production bombers in many ways. They were approximately 6,000 pounds (2,722 kilograms) lighter. The bomber carried no armor. Additional fuel tanks were installed in the rear bomb bay...With the exception of the tail gunner’s position, all defensive armament—four powered remotely operated gun turrets with ten .50-caliber machine guns—were deleted.
Interesting mission details in the article - "Bock's Car" had 1 engine flame out due to fuel starvation as it touched down and another engine flame out taxing in.
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/2017/08/09/
The F9C Sparrowhawk biplane carried aboard USS Akron and USS Macon - where getting in and out of the cockpit is more hazardous than the mission.
The one at Udvar Hazy
Seen that! The logo makes so much more sense to me now.
Happened to see the book Lucky 666 in the airport - looked intriguing. Apparently, this B-17 was made into a photo-recon bird but also carried 16 .50 mg's for defense - which allowed it to survive the purported longest air to air attack in Air Force history. Upon returning, 5+ 20mm cannon hits and 180 bulletholes were found. The pilot and copilot both won the MOH, the remainder of the crew all won the DFC.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_666
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_666
The TDN-1 Drone of WW2. Constructed mainly from wood, the TDN-1 had a fixed tricycle landing gear, and could be fitted with a conventional cockpit in place of its guidance equipment for test flights.[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Aircraft_Factory_TDN
TDN-1 drone during first (piloted) flight near Traverse City, Michigan (USA), on 19 May 1943
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Aircraft_Factory_TDN
TDN-1 drone during first (piloted) flight near Traverse City, Michigan (USA), on 19 May 1943
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