Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

Evening clue:

Looking for an airplane:

1. A modification of a civilian plane.

2. Used by more than 30 countries.

3. The service which first ordered it continued to use it for more than 30 years.

4. It was first ordered for military use in the hope that it would be a less-costly supplement to aircraft that were in service and performing well, but were expensive to build.

5. Its use in combat was brief, but during that time one of them claimed two enemy fighters shot down, despite being outnumbered.

6. Two radial engines.

7. Crew of four or fewer.

8. Its use in combat consisted largely of maritime patrol duty.

9. But it was primarily used as a trainer.

10. Named for an admiral.

zippome

Avro Anson?

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

That's the one! Here's the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Anson

Not a bad looking plane, except maybe from the front, where that long, pointed nose looked odd. Trained pilots, navigators, bombardiers and gunners for years. I think it was the plane (or one of the planes) the hero of Nevil Shute's WWII novel "Landfall" flew, but I'm not positive and I'm not going to re-read it to find out.

You're up, zippome.

zippome

OK guys, here we go,

1. Single engine.
2. Designed and built by a widely known fighter aircraft manufacturer for the civilian market.
3. Looks like just under 250 built for the military also.
4. The majority of those military versions were built by a different (but also well known) manufacturer.
Ok, That's it for now.

Thanks!
Zip

zippome

OK guys, here we go,

1. Single engine.
2. Designed and built by a widely known fighter aircraft manufacturer for the civilian market.
3. Looks like just under 250 built for the military also.
4. The majority of those military versions were built by a different (but also well known) manufacturer.
5. Used in a few different roles.
6. Only about a decade and a half of use in military service, but the civilian versions live on with many still in service.
7. From what I can tell, it has operated off of a carrier. Although why it did so remains a mystery to me.
Ok, That's it for now.

Thanks!
Zip

Hydro Junkie

How about the Gloster Gladiator or, better yet, the A3D Skywarrior

zippome

Not either of those aircraft Hydro.
But, the aircraft that I'm looking for did serve time in the Korean Conflict.
It also served a T.V. show some 20 odd years later. (Not sure if it was the military or civilian version on the show. )

pd1

Wild guess, North American or Ryan Navion?

zippome

OK guys, here we go,

1. Single engine.
2. Designed and built by a widely known fighter aircraft manufacturer for the civilian market.
3. Looks like just under 250 built for the military also.
4. The majority of those military versions were built by a different (but also well known) manufacturer.
5. Used in a few different roles.
6. Only about a decade and a half of use in military service, but the civilian versions live on with many still in service.
7. From what I can tell, it has operated off of a carrier. Although why it did so remains a mystery to me.
8. Did time in Korea.
9. Was spotted in a 70's action tv show being flown by the hero.
10. Was used for transporting personnel and supplies, training , and artillary spotting/foreward air control.
11. 6 were lost to enemy fighters.
Ok, That's it for now.

Thanks!
Zip

Hydro Junkie

I know the character Harmon Rabb flew a Stearman on "JAG"

zippome

Not the Stearman.
This aircraft only had 1 wing.

zippome

Oops!!!! I did not see PD1's post!
That is the plane I was looking for! The "poor man's Mustang " , the N.A. L17 navion!
Sorry about that PD1 ! I'm blaming the turkey!
You're up!

zippome

[h=1]Ryan Navion[/h]From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


[TABLE="class: infobox, width: 315"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2, align: center"]Navion[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"]Portland International Jetport, 2004.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Role[/TH]
[TD]Light fixed-wing aircraft[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Manufacturer[/TH]
[TD]North American Aviation
Ryan Aeronautical
Tusco Corp.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Introduction[/TH]
[TD]1948[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Status[/TH]
[TD]Active[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Primary users[/TH]
[TD]United States Military
Private owners[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Number built[/TH]
[TD]2,634 (Simpson, p.261)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Variants[/TH]
[TD]Camair Twin NavionTemco D-16
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Navion with a Continental IO-520 engine.

Navion with open canopy

Ryan Navion at Delta Air Park 1988

Navion G Rangemaster registered in France with modified fin and other enhancements

A factory restored 1947 North American Navion[SUP][1][/SUP]

The Ryan (originally North American) Navion is a United States single-engine, unpressurized, retractable gear, four-seat aircraft originally designed and built by North American Aviation in the 1940s. It was later built by Ryan Aeronautical Company and the Tubular Steel Corporation (TUSCO). The Navion was envisioned as an aircraft that would perfectly match the expected postwar boom in civilian aviation, since it was designed along the general lines of, and by the same company which produced the North American P-51 Mustang, generally regarded as one of the best Allied fighter aircraft.

[h=2]Contents[/h] [hide]

• 1Design and development
• 2Operational history
  • 2.1Present day
• 3Variants
  • 3.1Military
• 4Operators
  • 4.1Civil
  • 4.2Military
• 5Specifications (Super 260 Navion)
• 6See also
• 7References
  • 7.1Notes
  • 7.2Bibliography
• 8External links

[h=2]Design and development[edit][/h]The Navion was originally designed at the end of World War II by North American Aviation as the NA-143 (but produced under the NA-145 designation).[SUP][2][/SUP] It was designed for the civilian market but also attracted the interest of the United States Army Air Forces. The Army Air Force ordered 83 of the NA-154 version, designated the L-17A, to be used as a liaison aircraft, personnel and cargo carrier, and trainer for the university-based Reserve Officers Training Corps flight training program, 35 of which were later converted to L-17C standard by the Schweizer Aircraft Company by fitting them with L-17B model features such as an auxiliary fuel tank.
Ryan Aeronautical Company acquired the design in 1948, and built approximately 1,200 examples over the following three years. Ryan designated the aircraft the Navion A with a 205 hp (153 kW) Continental E-185-3 or -9 and, later, the Navion B with 260 hp (194 kW) engines of either the Lycoming GO-435-C2, or optionally the Continental IO-470 engine. The Navion As became the basis for the military L-17B.
A single prototype Navion Model 72 was developed to compete for the US Air Force trainer aircraft procurement that was awarded to Beechcraft and resulted in the T-34. The prototype featured two-seat side-by-side seating, and twelve windows intended to be replaced with a bubble canopy.[SUP][3][/SUP] The Model 72 was not mass-produced but, was instead, used as flying test bed for future modifications to the Navion line.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP]
TUSCO took over production of the Navion in the mid-1950s, manufacturing D, E and F models with a variety of enhancements including tip tanks and flush rivets. Navion Rangemaster aircraft were manufactured from 1961 to 1976. Their production followed that of earlier canopy-model Navion aircraft. In addition to the 39.5-gallon (150 litre) main fuel tanks, the Rangemasters added tip tanks with 34 gallons (128 l) each. The total fuel capacity of 107.5 gallons (407 l) gave these Navions the range for which they are named. TUSCO also introduced the Navion Rangemaster G model in 1960, which incorporated all previous advancements, replaced the Navion's sliding canopy with a side door, enlarged the cabin, created five separate seats, and standardized use of tiptanks and larger, late-model Continental engines. An H Model was produced as well, very nearly the same as the G Model except for a few minor enhancements. The last few Navions were manufactured (all H Models) by Navion Aircraft Company during a short production run ending in 1976 during one of several attempts to restore the airplane to commercial viability.
[h=2]Operational history[edit][/h]

Ryan L-17B Navion on USS Leyte (CV-32), 1950.

Pre-World War II, light civilian aircraft such as the Piper J-3 Cub and Aeronca Champion typically were made of wood or steel-tube fuselages with wooden wings. These pre-war designs were also marketed after the war, but did not sell well. While Republic offered an amphibious aircraft, the Seabee, Cessna offered the 195, and Beechcraft offered by far the most successful type Bonanza, which remains in production in 2013. All of these aircraft, including the Navion were significantly more advanced than prewar civilian aircraft and they set the stage for aircraft built from aluminum sheets riveted to aluminum formers. It was thought that wartime pilots would come home and continue flying with their families and friends under more peaceful conditions, but the postwar boom in civilian aviation did not materialize to the extent the manufacturers envisioned.[SUP][4][/SUP]
Sales of the Navion were helped by the visibility of several celebrities who flew them, including Veronica Lake, Arthur Godfrey, Mickey Rooney and Bill Cullen. Retired Utah Senator Jake Garn is a current Navion owner.
[h=3]Present day[edit][/h]As of 2010, many Navions are still flying and there is an active Navion owners community. On 18 March 2003 Sierra Hotel Aero Inc of South St. Paul, Minnesota purchased the type certificate,[SUP][5][/SUP] design data, molds and tooling. Company stated in January 2013, that it was two to three years away from bringing the aircraft back into production.[SUP][6][/SUP] In the meantime Sierra Hotel Aero is carrying out re-manufacturing and upgrading for some owners of Navions.[SUP][7][/SUP]
A pair of highly modified Navions were flown by Princeton University as the Variable-Response Research Aircraft (VRA) and the Avionics Research Aircraft (ARA).[SUP][8][/SUP] The VRA was given a pair of vertical side-force-generating surfaces mounted midway between wing roots and tips and a digital fly-by-wire (DFBW) control system, first installed in 1978, that parallels the standard Navion's mechanical control system and the fast-acting wing flaps that produce negative as well as positive lift. With these, the VRA can simulate the motions of other aircraft types through independent, closed-loop control of all the forces and moments acting on the airplane. Having completed over 20 years of research at Princeton University's Flight Research Laboratory, the VRA and its sister ship, the Avionics Research Aircraft (which is virtually identical to the VRA but does not have side-force panels) currently are owned and operated by the University of Tennessee Space Institute .
[h=2]Variants[edit][/h]

North American L-17A, flown by the Commemorative Air Force, Camarillo Airport.

A twin Navion conversion

North American NA-143Two prototypes.[SUP][9][/SUP]North American NA-145 NavionNorth-American-built production aircraft, 1027 built.[SUP][9][/SUP]North American NA-154 NavionMilitary version for the United States Army as the L-17A, 83 built.[SUP][9][/SUP]Ryan NavionRyan-built production aircraft, 600 built.[SUP][9][/SUP]

1947 Navion A

Ryan Navion AImproved Navion with a 205hp Continental E-185-9 engine, 602 built.[SUP][9][/SUP]

1950 Ryan Navion B

Ryan Navion BModified for the higher powered 260hp Lycoming GO-435-C2 engine, also known as the Super Navion 260, 222 built.[SUP][9][/SUP]Tusco Navion DConversion by Tulsa Manufacturing Company with a 240hp Continental IO-470-P engine and tip tanks.[SUP][9][/SUP]Tusco Navion EConversion Tulsa Manufacturing Company with a 250hp Continental IO-470-C engine and tip tanks.[SUP][9][/SUP]Tusco Navion FConversion Tulsa Manufacturing Company with a 260hp Continental IO-470-H engine and tip tanks.[SUP][9][/SUP]Navion G RangemasterRedesigned aircraft by Navion Aircraft Company with 260hp Continental IO-470H engine, integral cabin and tip tanks, 121, some built as the Rangemaster G-1 with a modified fin.[SUP][9][/SUP]Navion H RangermasterNavion G with a 285hp Continental IO-520B engine, 60 built, an additional aircraft was built by the Navion Rangemaster Aircraft Company in 1974.[SUP][9][/SUP]Ryan Model 72One Navion B was modified as two-seat trainer for a United States Navy competition with the Temco Model 33 Plebe.[SUP][9][/SUP]Camair Twin Naviontwin engine conversionX-16 Bi-NavionOne twin-engined (130hp Lycomings) prototype designed and built by Dauby Equipment Company in 1972, production by Riley and later by Temco.[SUP][9][/SUP]Temco Riley 55Initial version of the twin engined Navion conversion.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP]D-16 Twin NavionProduction version of the X-16 with two 150hp Lycoming O-320 engines and strengthened wings, 19 conversions by Riley and 46 by Temco.[SUP][9][/SUP]Temco D-16AImproved D-16 conversion with a 160hp Lycoming O-340-A1A engines, 45 conversions.[SUP][9][/SUP][h=3]Military[edit][/h]L-17AMilitary designation for NA-154s delivered to the United States Army, 83 built, re-designated U-18A in 1962.[SUP][9][/SUP]QL-17ASix L-17As modified by TEMCO as remote-controlled drones for the United States Air Force.[SUP][9][/SUP]L-17BMilitary designation for Ryan-built Navion As delivered to the U.S.Army, 163 built, re-designated U-18B in 1962.[SUP][9][/SUP]L-17CL-17As modified by Ryan with improved brakes and increased fuel capacity, 35 modified, re-designated U-18C in 1962.[SUP][9][/SUP]XL-17DThree former XL-22As for evaluation.[SUP][9][/SUP]XL-22ATwo Ryan-built Navion Bs for the U.S.Army, re-designated XL-17D.[SUP][9][/SUP]U-18AFormer L-17As re-designated in 1962.[SUP][9][/SUP]U-18BFormer L-17Bs re-designated in 1962.[SUP][9][/SUP]U-18CFormer L-17Cs re-designated in 1962.[SUP][9][/SUP][h=2]Operators[edit][/h][h=3]Civil[edit][/h]The Navion is popular with private individuals and companies.
[h=3]Military[edit][/h]

• US Air Force[SUP][9][/SUP]
• US Army[SUP][10][/SUP]
• National Guard[SUP][11][/SUP]

Massachusetts Air National Guard[SUP][12][/SUP][h=2]Specifications (Super 260 Navion)[edit][/h]Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52[SUP][13][/SUP]
General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Length: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
• Wingspan: 33 ft 5 in (10.19 m)
• Height: 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
• Wing area: 184 sq ft (17.1 m[SUP]2[/SUP])
• Empty weight: 1,930 lb (875 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,850 lb (1,293 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 40 US gal (33 imp gal; 150 L)
• Powerplant: 1 Χ Lycoming GO-435-C2 air-cooled flat-six engine, 260 hp (190 kW) (take-off power)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 174 mph (280 km/h; 151 kn)
• Cruise speed: 170 mph (148 kn; 274 km/h)
• Range: 595 mi (517 nmi; 958 km)
• Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,486 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s)
• Take-off run: 400 ft (120 m)
• Landing run: 468 ft (143 m)

[h=2]See also[edit][/h]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Beechcraft Bonanza
• Messerschmitt Bf 108 / Nord 1000 Pingouin
• Mooney M20
• Orlican L-40 Meta Sokol
• Piaggio P.149
• Piper Comanche

Related lists

zippome

North American L-17 Navion

In Restoration!

L-17 from Korea

The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing has recently acquired an L-17 Navion. This aircraft was generously donated to the wing by CAF member Harvey Brown.
​
The Navion aircraft was designed by North American Aviation and began production in 1946. It was a way for pilots to come back from the war and have their own family aircraft, one that had lineage with the P-51 Mustang. The Navion was overshadowed by it’s competitor, the Bonanza, and soon North American’s focus shifted back to military aircraft. Ryan Aircraft (who built the PT-22 Recruit) decided to take on the Navion. They saw potential with its short field capabilities and rugged design. Soon they were producing the L-17. L-17s served extensively in Korea, performing duties such as Forward Air Control, intelligence gathering, ambulance duties and VIP transport. General MacArthur had a personal L-17 for getting point to point and observing the front lines.

The L-17 is an example of an aircraft that has a storied history easily forgotten, similar to the Korean War. Post Korea, L-17s were used by the Army and Air Force for various duties, serving through Vietnam as “Hack” aircraft (used for whatever necessary duty on base, or pleasure flight).
​
Our goal is to convert the Navion F Model that was donated into an L-17, painted in Army colors. During this process, necessary maintenance will be performed on the aircraft, as well as restoration, replacement, and repainting of systems and structure. The project has excited many people in and out of the CAF, and it will be our goal to create an award winning restoration. If you would like to help financially with the project, we've setup a way for you to donate below. Of course we are always looking for volunteers at our hangar. If you've never been to the CAF Minnesota Wing Hangar, now would be an excellent time to stop by and see all that's happening!
[HR][/HR]

zippome

More links...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_air_control_operations_during_the_Korean_W ar


http://www.pilotfriend.com/aircraft%...nce/Navion.htm
http://www.pilotfriend.com/aircraft%...nce/Navion.htm


I could go on, but I won't...

Thanks Guys!
Zip

pd1

Thanks zippome. I'm sorry I won't be able to supply a new airplane and clues.
I have Multiple Myeloma and am in the hospital 2 or 3 times a week. After treatments I'm too tired to sit at the computer for more than 5 minutes.
The days that I'm not getting treatments I usually spend recovering.
I get pleasure from reading this thread, I can stop posting if I'm causing any mix ups.
If someone else can supply the next clues and airplane, please do.

Back in better days, I flew the Navion you have pictured in the top post.
Paul

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Paul; I can understand why you can't commit to babysitting a question and posting clues and responses. If participating in this forum brings a little pleasure into your life, then please continue. If necessary, I will pick up part of the slack when you answer a question, but can't post a follow on question.

Guys; I'm sure all of you feel the same. So how about we all agree Paul can participate to the degree he is able, and we'll take turns coming up with questions on his behalf? Right now, the floor is open to any one who has a question to post. If no one else has anything, I'll post a question tomorrow. Thanks; Ernie P.

Hydro Junkie

I think that was something I suggested a while back. Paul, if you can come up with a question and some clues or, at least the references to come up with some, I'm sure someone else would run the quiz for you

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sorry for being slow, guys; I'm fighting the flu. I hope this will prove interesting. Thanks; Ernie P.

Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1.This ace is near the top of the aces list.
2.He began his war in the infantry.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1.This ace is near the top of the aces list.
2.He began his war in the infantry.
3.He was wounded, but stayed in action, in a crucial battle.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1.This ace is near the top of the aces list.
2.He began his war in the infantry.
3.He was wounded, but stayed in action, in a crucial battle.
4.He was decorated for his courage, and made an officer.

Hydro Junkie

Eugene Jacques Bullard or, more likely Fritz Otto Bernert

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Two excellent, though incorrect, answers Hydro Junkie. Perhaps this morning clue will help. Thanks; Ernie P.

Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1.This ace is near the top of the aces list.
2.He began his war in the infantry.
3.He was wounded, but stayed in action, in a crucial battle.
4.He was decorated for his courage, and made an officer.
5.After he recovered, he returned to his unit and was further decorated for saving the lives of several wounded soldiers.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1.This ace is near the top of the aces list.
2.He began his war in the infantry.
3.He was wounded, but stayed in action, in a crucial battle.
4.He was decorated for his courage, and made an officer.
5.After he recovered, he returned to his unit and was further decorated for saving the lives ofseveral wounded soldiers.
6.He was then transferred to an elite infantry unit, but became ill.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1.This ace is near the top of the aces list.
2.He began his war in the infantry.
3.He was wounded, but stayed in action, in a crucial battle.
4.He was decorated for his courage, and made an officer.
5.After he recovered, he returned to his unit and was further decorated for saving the lives ofseveral wounded soldiers.
6.He was then transferred to an elite infantry unit, but became ill.
7.His illness resulted in him being declared an invalid;and he was released from service.