Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a “breakthrough” aircraft for its owning nation.
2. It was a type of advanced aircraft not used before.
3. But things didn’t work out as planned, and it never entered combat.
4. Although early research had been ongoing for some years, it was the demands of war which first brought this ground-breaking aircraft to flight.
5. Only a small handful of aircraft were actually produced.
6. And they were mainly “used up” during testing.
7. However, initial testing showed the aircraft was certainly faster than types already in use.
8. However, by the time they started getting all the bugs ironed out, newer and different aircraft were coming onto the scene; aircraft with more long term potential and longer flight times.
9. However, the research conducted trying to get this aircraft into service later proved invaluable in new ventures which played out on the world stage.
10. The initial design work was completed quickly and the result was an aircraft that was very light.
11. This largely due to extensive use of aluminum-copper alloys and plywood.
12. Unfortunately, the planned engine was experiencing some delays. It wasn’t working.
13. And when it was finally working dependably, it didn’t provide the planned for power.
14. It wasn’t for a couple of years that the engine was performing dependably.
15. War broke out and suddenly the program was a priority.
16. A new design was produced in three weeks.
17. The design was approved and the design team was given 35 days to produce the first aircraft.
18. The engineers literally lived at the factory until the first plane was produced.
19. The airframe was built of a steel blended with a chromium alloy.
20. The skin was very thin plywood, with a bonded fabric covering.
21. Local furniture makers were used to help form the first two prototypes.
22. The rudder, elevators and ailerons were fabric covered.
23. The flaps were an aluminum-copper alloy.
24. Originally, four machine guns were to have been used; but were replaced by two cannons.
25. It was a low wing monoplane.
26. With a very short wingspan.
27. And length.
28. Wingspan and length were almost identical.
29. It was a taildragger.
30. The empty weight was less than 2,000 pounds.
31. And planned takeoff weight was less than 4,000 pounds.
32. The aircraft was ready for testing within a couple of months.
33. Since the engines were not ready, gliding tests were performed, and were quite successful.
34. As a result of the gliding tests, and some wind tunnel testing, some modifications were made.