Hey all, I saw a very interesting looking airplane the other day powered by a Pratt and Whitney R-985!!! That's right, the same huge 550 hp radial engine as is in the old Waco biplanes and many others.

Pictures are here http://www.geocities.com/usair1489/a...ivillian1.html
He's in the middle of the page btw.

The pilot is Frank Ryder and he is more well known in Canada (apparently) than in the US. I haven't been able to find any better pictures of the aircraft other than this and would DIE for some 3 views!

Maybe it's just me, but that is an extremely neat looking airplane that just screams "I HAVE POWER!". It's fairly short coupled (ala Pitts) and it has a low wing similar to a Sukhoi, with a much different airfoil than other aerobats I've seen. It seems to be much more thin and appears more like a model type foil. It is an all composite airplane custom made for the guy; only one in existence anywhere.

I'm curious if anyone else out there has any opinion or more information on it other than what is found here
http://www.airshow.voicenet.com/oreck.html

Thanks!

P.S. I just read that he does a harrier down the length of the crowd line for the grand finale!

I believe the Plane you are looking at is called a Cyclone.As far as I know it is a one of a kind.Frank is or at least was,I'm not sure,local here in Hammond Louisiana.I have seen him fly it many times and it is awesome.There are some good pics of the plane at www.airplaneblaine.com under the friends title.
Mike.

Can't get to your pics right now....but if its the Cyclone there were actually 2 custom built.......Used to be a guy in Canada who had a kit of it.......Saw it at an airshow a few years back......Thats one big engine stuffed into that frame