Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

Perhaps, although the army used Cessna O-1's until we got out of Vietnam. By "combat" I meant to include any use of an aircraft in a combat zone other than training or transporting people (e.g. hacks), so air-to-air, bombing, ground attack, artillery spotting, photo-recon, all count. In any event, that war lasted into the 70's, so it's too recent a use in combat to fit the plane I have in mind.

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

Upon further reflection and looking at sources, I think it was misleading to say (clue 1) that this particular aircraft was originally designed to have four engines. The company that built it designed a four-engine plane, the plane I'm looking for was officially labeled a variation of that design and had the same official numerical designation as that design, but its actual design was a parallel process rather than an adaptation of the four-engine aircraft. In short, on the books it was officially a single-engine version of what had started out as a design for a plane with four engines, but in fact it was a single-engine airplane from the start, which was given the designation of a different design that had been abandoned. One of those bureaucratic things. Sorry about that.

Today's clue:

Looking for the name of a very well known aircraft.

1. Originally designed to have four engines, but the production versions didn't.

2. Last flew in combat in the early 1960s.

3. Said to be very easy to fly.

4. The production version had one engine.

5. Used by only two countries.

6. At least two significant firsts: Its manufacturer's first aircraft of its type and its service's first aircraft to achieve a particular sort of success in a war.

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

Today's clue:

Looking for the name of a very well known aircraft.

1. It was officially a single-engine version of what had started out as a design for a plane with four engines, but in fact it was a single-engine airplane from the start, which was given the designation of a different design that had been abandoned. One of those bureaucratic things.

2. Last flew in combat in the early 1960s.

3. Said to be very easy to fly.

4. The production version had one engine.

5. Used by only two countries.

6. At least two significant firsts: Its manufacturer's first aircraft of its type and its service's first aircraft to achieve a particular sort of success in a war.

7. Three of the pilots who flew it either were or later became household names.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Top_Gunn; this one is a little different. Seven clues in and no one has taken a shot? Some parts of your clues lead me toward the F4F, with Thatch, O'Hare and all; but others lead me away from that airplane. F6F; the plane that was first able to handle the Zero straight up? But again, some clues actually smother my ideas. Thanks; Ernie P.

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

Well, the F6F was pretty easy to fly, but it isn't the plane I had in mind. Here's today's clue (which would mostly also fit the F6F, but ...).

Today's clue:

Looking for the name of a very well known aircraft.

1. It was officially a single-engine version of what had started out as a design for a plane with four engines, but in fact it was a single-engine airplane from the start, which was given the designation of a different design that had been abandoned. One of those bureaucratic things.

2. Last flew in combat in the early 1960s.

3. Said to be very easy to fly.

4. The production version had one engine.

5. Used by only two countries.

6. At least two significant firsts: Its manufacturer's first aircraft of its type and its service's first aircraft to achieve a particular sort of success in a war.

7. Three of the pilots who flew it either were or later became household names.

8. Had a major role in two movies, and a minor role in a few others. In one of those others, it was ridiculously anachronistic.

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

lrb75

My Feedback: (12)

Grumman Panther. Flown by Neil armstrong, john glenn and ted williams. First navy kill in korea. First jet by grumman.

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

That's the one. The navy stopped using them in the late 50's, but the Argentine navy used them against the Argentine army in a political spat in the early 60's. First version was the XF9F, which had been the designation of a proposed four-engine night fighter. Four engines because early US jets didn't have a lot of power.

Movies include The Bridges at Toko-Ri, Men of the3 Fighting Lady, and Midway (!).

You're up, Irb75.

Hydro Junkie

I was thinking the Cougar, not the Panther. It was the clue about the four engines that threw me

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sir; you are up. Please post your question for us. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sir; you are up. Please post your question ASAP. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

All; apparently Irb75 has disappeared. Unless he posts his question by this afternoon, I will declare the floor open and the first person to post will be the lead. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

All; in the absence of Irb75, the floor is now open. The first person to post a question and first clue has the floor. If no one posts anything by tomorrow am, I will post a question. Thanks; Ernie P.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Are you talking about the Curtis SB2C first used in WWII and was still in service with the Air Force and Navy in the Vietnam War?

The Grumman TBF Avenger was another holdover retired in the 60s along with the Douglas A-1 Skyraider which was designed as the replacement for both.

Hydro Junkie

The answer was the Grumman F9F Panther. The person that got it right hasn't been back on so it's open floor at the moment

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I don't recall the Pather ever being developed with 4 engines?

Hydro Junkie

I hadn't heard that either. I was thinking the F9F Cougar but, in hind site, it had two turbines, not one

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sir; the first clue explained the "four engine vs one engine" thing. And again, the floor is now open to anyone who wants to ask the next question and post clues. Thanks; Ernei P.


1. It was officially a single-engine version of what had started out as a design for a plane with four engines, but in fact it was a single-engine airplane from the start, which was given the designation of a different design that had been abandoned. One of those bureaucratic things.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Oh OK the confusion is mine. Thank you!

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Seeing no takers, we are off again. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?

Clues:1.This fighter aircraft was noted as being a very effective dogfighter.

Hydro Junkie

F-86 Sabre

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Not a bad guess, Hydro Junkie; but not correct. However, as normal, your participation earns a bonus clue. Please try again. Thanks; Ernie P.

Question: What warbird do I describe?

Clues:
1.This fighter aircraft was noted as being a very effective dogfighter.
2.It was capable of fighting on equal terms with almost any fighter of its day.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.

Question: What warbird do I describe?

Clues:
1.This fighter aircraft was noted as being a very effective dogfighter.
2.It was capable of fighting on equal terms with almost any fighter of its day.
3.Much of its success was related to innovative methods and equipment which helped the pilot better control the aircraft in combat situations.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?

Clues:
1.This fighter aircraft was noted as being a very effective dogfighter.
2.It was capable of fighting on equal terms with almost any fighter of its day.
3.Much of its success was related to innovative methods and equipment which helped the pilot better control the aircraft in combat situations.
4.These methods helped the pilot turn the aircraft quickly without losing control; and automatically compensated for quick turns and combat speeds.

Hydro Junkie

F-8 Crusader