skylarkmk1

In researching for Robert Stanford Tuck, I found the "fact” that one of his 20mm cannon shells had passed precisely down the barrel of an exactly similar sized ground weapon and had exploded therein, peeling open the barrel "like a banana". The German troops thought this hilarious and such "Good shooting Tommy!" The shell that burst the German gun being the same size as the German Gun is truly remarkable.

Sorry for the delay, work got in the way. Let’s go back to aircraft of WW1 (probably a softball).

This aircraft entered WW1 in 1918.

A fairly large 2 seater.

Mein Duff

Airco DH-9 ?

skylarkmk1

Mien Duff,

Sorry, not the Airco DH-9 but you are going in the right direction.

Let’s go back to aircraft of WW1 (probably a softball).

This aircraft entered WW1 in 1918.

A fairly large 2 seater.

It was a multi-role aircraft.

It was built by 3 different companies.

It was retired in 1932.

Mein Duff

Not the Bris-fit ? Bristol Fighter

skylarkmk1

NOPE

Mein Duff

How about the Salmson French 2 seater?

skylarkmk1

Sorry, Nope

Last clue before I leave for work.

Let’s go back to aircraft of WW1 (probably a softball).

This aircraft entered WW1 in 1918.

A fairly large 2 seater.

It was a multi-role aircraft.

It was built by 3 different companies.

It was retired in 1932.

A modified British design.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

I think that should narrow it down for a lot of folks. Thanks; Ernie P.

skylarkmk1

Well I just got home so another clue before I turn out the lights and hit the sack.

Let’s go back to aircraft of WW1 (probably a softball).

This aircraft entered WW1 in 1918.

A fairly large 2 seater.

It was a multi-role aircraft.

It was built by 3 different companies.

It was retired in 1932.

A modified British design.

Used the American Liberty 12 cylider engine instead of the Rolls-Royce use by the British.

This one should give it away. The only US built Aircraft to see combat in WW1.

Mein Duff

The DH-4 ?

skylarkmk1

You are up Mien Duff, Ernie had PM me with the correct answer earlier but you answered here so the ball is in your court.

skylarkmk1

Some info to fill in the blanks.

This aircraft entered WW1 in 1918. 1st DH-4 was delivered to France in May 1918

A fairly large 2 seater. Approximately 42’5” wing span, 30” fuse length (dimensions differ with source). The one at Creve Coeur Airport (Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum or HARM) fits these numbers.

It was a multi-role aircraft. Observation, Bomber and Artillery Spotting

It was built by 3 different companies. Dayton-Wright Co. - 3.106, Fisher Body Division of General Motors – 1,600 and Standard Aircraft Corp. -140 the total was 4,846. Not noted in the article was the fact that nearly half of the plane built were destroyed at the end of the war and the other half was still crated and shipped back to the US.

It was retired in 1932. It was used by the US Army Air Service, the Air Mail Service, served in the USAAS as a Mexican Border Patrol Spotter/Photo Recon Aircraft.

A modified British design. Designed by De Havilland, the British could not produce enough DH-4s to meet demand so the US was contracted to build the DH-4. Part of the redesign was to fit American production standards. By the time it was retired in 1932, over 60 variations were developed.

It used the American Liberty 12 cylinder engine instead of the Rolls-Royce use by the British. The Liberty Engine has a unique sound to it, easy to identify. I have observed the only Flying DH-4 (using the Liberty engine) in the world at Creve Coeur Airport, near St Louis. This particular DH-4 is a DH-4M (metal fuselage by Fokker), painted as a CAM (Contract Air Mail) plane as flown by Charles Lindberg. The DH-4 was also flown by Jimmy Doolittle and others to set a few records.

This one should give it away. The only US built Aircraft to see combat in WW1.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

"It used the American Liberty 12 cylinder engine instead of the Rolls-Royce use by the British. The Liberty Engine has a unique sound to it, easy to identify. I have observed the only Flying DH-4 (using the Liberty engine) in the world at Creve Coeur Airport, near St Louis. This particular DH-4 is a DH-4M (metal fuselage by Fokker), painted as a CAM (Contract Air Mail) plane as flown by Charles Lindberg. The DH-4 was also flown by Jimmy Doolittle and others to set a few records."

You just gave me some info I didn't have, Skylarkmk1. I wasn't aware the Liberty engine was distinctive in its sound. Please describe the sound a bit more, please. High pitched or low? Growl, rumble or shriek? Thanks; Ernie P.

MajorTomski

In 2006 I got to watch them try and try....and try........and try to get that liberty started one day. They ran out of armstrong starters before they ran out of day.

Mein Duff

Good Info.. I will post another puzzler in a few hrs.....

skylarkmk1

Ernie,

It sounds like a bunch of Harleys or an old Mack Truck.

Major Tomski

That was when they were first trying to get the DH-4 started. The engine had a few problems that have all been resolved. It is not a Magneto engine; it is run with distributors on the back of each cam shaft and on one of the first attempts to start, was missing the points on one side. Trying to Armstrong start the big 400 hp V-12 Liberty is impossible, it needs the starter.

You guys can read about the Adventures of Flying the DH-4 to Oshkosh in 2007 in Fairchild 24 (there are 3 Articles is near the bottom of the home page) http://fairchild24.com/

The photos (1 & 2) are of the restored DH-4 at Creve Coeur Airport.
P3 - The big Liberty in the DH-4
P4 - Close up of the distributors (Glen Peck is working on the right side distributor)

Mein Duff

OK...What Aircrfat do I descibe?

Just discovered this unusual in-between war aircraft that first flew in 1931.

1.) Low wing, all metal monoplane

2.) Had leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps ( the first on an Army aircraft )

3.) Saw action in 1937 in China

Mein Duff

OK...What Aircraft do I describe?

Late afternoon Clues...see cropped pic for distinctive wheel pants

Just discovered this unusual in-between war aircraft that first flew in 1931.

1.) Low wing, all metal monoplane

2.) Had leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps ( the first on an Army aircraft )

3.) Saw action in 1937 in China

4.) was a large aircraft = 44 ft wingspan

5.) Attack aircraft / bomber / ground support

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

The Curtiss A-8 "Shrike". Thanks; Ernie P.


The A-8 was a low-wing monoplane ground-attack aircraft built by the United States company Curtiss, designed in response to a 1929 United States Army Air Corps requirement for an attack aircraft to replace the A-3 Falcon. The Model 59 "Shrike" was designated XA-8 (the "Shrike" nickname was not officially adopted).

Mein Duff

Yo Got it Ernie !! Good work.

The A-8 Shrike was a fabulous looking Fabulous aircraft.... I stumbled upon it recently with an Ebay acquisition
Never seen this one modelled...

The first inline versions looking very Stuka like with the hawkish wheel pants..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_A-8

Your Up Ernie..bedazzle us !!

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

I doubt I could ever bedazzle the likes of this crew, but thank you, Sir. Perhaps this will titillate, if nothing else. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What ace do I describe?


Clues:

(1). He scored nine total victories.

Mein Duff

Could we narrow it down to one war ?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Not just yet, Sir. Let's see if some one can solve it without that particular bit of info for just a little longer. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What ace do I describe?


Clues:

(1). He scored nine total victories.

(2) He set a world record for scoring victories quickly.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

A late night clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What ace do I describe?


Clues:

(1). He scored nine total victories.

(2) He set a world record for scoring victories quickly.

(3) He downed five enemy aircraft in less than a minute.

Mein Duff

Butch O'Hare?