Sunday's clue. Remember, guys; this was a goovernment backed project, built by a private company. Only two prototypes were built; and only the first ever actually flew. These planes were specifically produced to set a new world record, which the first one did. Several new, but related, records were set. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This aircraft came into being at a period in time when aircraft companies were engaged in intense international competition to set new world records.
2. Advances in aircraft technology were made as a result of this competition.
3. And the laurels were used to demonstrate the technological superiority of the companies, and countries, involved.
4. The expense involved soon grew beyond the reach of a single aircraft company.
5. And those companies were increasingly backed in their attempts by the nations involved.
6. This is the story of one such company, and the plane it produced.
7. This plane was built to counter several foreign planes which set some new records.
8. Our subject plane set several outright world records.
9. And by a fair margin.
10. Interestingly, several of the foreign record setters used engines produced by our subject aircraft’s manufacturer.
11. And yet, the airframes being produced by the same company were lagging behind.
12. A completely new airframe was obviously required for this attempt.
13. And it would be a purpose-built research aircraft designed specifically for this one record attempt.
14. One of the company’s engineers proposed a new aircraft to set the record.
15. But nothing happened until a foreign plane set another record which drew public attention to the situation.
16. The proposal was for a single seat plane using retractable landing gear and a supercharged engine.
17. Although, in the end, it was decided to save weight and use fixed landing gear.
18. The officials finally issued a proposal to several companies, which was for a pair of prototypes.
19. Which were now to use two stage superchargers.
20. The plane was redesigned. The size and layout remained the same, but room for an observer was found for the second, ultimately unused, prototype.
21. And special flight equipment designed for the attempt.
22. The first prototype was delivered and tested using a standard engine, as the supercharged engine wasn’t yet ready.
23. The aircraft was described as the largest single place aircraft ever built to that time.
24. A lot of research was carried out by the government and national laboratories.
25. And an intercooler was used between the two stages of the supercharger.
26. Weight saving was a priority and a wooden shell, with a tube chassis, was used.
27. Only the engine mount and cowling were metal.
28. Specially developed fuel was used for the record flight.
29. A new record was duly set.
30. But which didn’t last long.
31. In the interim, a series of small changes had been made to our subject aircraft, all of which were intended to increase its performance; mainly by reducing drag.
32. A series of further flights were made, during which the record was recaptured.
33. During this flight, a canopy malfunction occurred, but no injury resulted.
34. After the record was recaptured, a number of research flights were made, but no further records were attempted.
35. It was felt these flights gathered invaluable data; particularly regarding pressurization.
36. The second prototype was ordered, and delivered.
37. But no engine was ever fitted.
38. And the airframe was used as a ground instructional trainer.
39. This was the unflown two seat version.
40. At the time, the company which built these two prototypes was best known for building a very successful series of engines.
41. And a couple of iconic WWI aircraft.
42. And a few famous WWII aircraft.
43. And had a large part in building perhaps the most famous passenger plane ever built.
44. The company ultimately merged with several other companies, and is still around in some form today.
45. A lot of research went into designing a suitable flying suit for the record attempts.
46. This area of research was largely conducted by government agencies.