Hydro Junkie

Not the Eagle, an ugly failure of an aircraft. How about another clue?
Looking for an aircraft:
1) This design only had one flying model built out of two that were constructed.
2) The design had some "out of the box" thinking involved
3) While this design was flown during a war, it never flew a combat mission
4) This aircraft was faster than almost every other one of the class
5) This aircraft was powered by two engines with a unique arrangement
6) This aircraft was deemed "unneeded" due to other less complex and more conventional types coming on line, including one from the same company
7) The aircraft that was accepted from the same company was roughly 40 MPH slower and slightly shorter ranged
8) Like the aircraft that was accepted, our subject aircraft was a single seater
9) Like the aircraft that was accepted, out subject aircraft was armed with either six 50 caliber or four 20mm guns
10) The two engines were air cooled but, due to the aircraft's design, initially had heating issues
Good Luck

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Grumman XF5F Skyrocket

Hydro Junkie

Not the Skyrocket. Time for another clue:
Looking for an aircraft:
1) This design only had one flying model built out of two that were constructed.
2) The design had some "out of the box" thinking involved
3) While this design was flown during a war, it never flew a combat mission
4) This aircraft was faster than almost every other one of the class
5) This aircraft was powered by two engines with a unique arrangement
6) This aircraft was deemed "unneeded" due to other less complex and more conventional types coming on line, including one from the same company
7) The aircraft that was accepted from the same company was roughly 40 MPH slower and slightly shorter ranged
8) Like the aircraft that was accepted, our subject aircraft was a single seater
9) Like the aircraft that was accepted, out subject aircraft was armed with either six 50 caliber or four 20mm guns
10) The two engines were air cooled but, due to the aircraft's design, initially had heating issues
11) This aircraft could carry two bombs of up to 1000 pounds each
Good Luck

H5606

Vought XF5U.

Hydro Junkie

Thank Heavens we have a winner. I was running out of not so obvious clues. What gave it away?

H5606

Two air-cooled engines in a unique arrangement and "out of the box" design thinking.

I like weird and strange designs so had a hunch.

Wikipedia armament description matches statements #9 & #11. Interesting; it was so structurally sound that a wrecking ball had to be used to destroy it.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Flying Pancake

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

How does it fly Elmshoot?

Hydro Junkie

It was actually supposed to be a very stable design. It was just the complexity of the drive arrangement and a few other minor issues that kept it from being produced. With the acceptance of the Corsair, the F5U became a "back burner " project

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

This is the late Don Rice's plane in Castle AFB flyin. I attended specifically to see the owner and this plane fly. It seems to fly good. I have the kit, about 10 were cut there are two framed up.
I plane to build mine some day. It was a group project over on RCSB. I think they are 1/4 scale they are about 5' in Dia so I guess they could be used as a coffee table.
The cost of true scale 4 bladed props was prohibitive. But as technology improves it might some bay come into reach the electric power system was $$$ anyway. I think the airplane is back with the builder, Thomas White in Fla. "Invertmas"
Sparky

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

One thing for sure the chances of seeing a second one at your home field are slim to none! The design does look like it lends itself to using an electric propulsion system. I have a Graupner JU-52 kit and a Dumas Dragon Rapide that will be electric. For small models electric does make sense the motors, ESCs, and batteries are pretty reasonable these days from Heads Up RC out of Florida.
Mike

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sir; you are up. Please post your question and first clue(s) for us, so the quiz can continue. Thanks; Ernie P.

H5606

Forgive me if this one's already been done
Looking for manufacturer and aircraft model:
1) Single engine
2) All metal
3) Monoplane
4) Gull-wing

Hydro Junkie

How about "The Storch", and I hope I spelled that right

H5606

Not the Storch.

I had to look up construction on the Fieseler FI 156 Storch as I wasn't sure; it was welded steel tube framework, wooden wings and fabric covering with plywood covered wooden tail surfaces according to the source I looked at...

Adding another clue to the list:
1) Single engine
2) All metal
3) Monoplane
4) Gull-wing
5) Internal fuel tank that could be jettisoned

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Let's get the obvious answers out of the way first. How about the PZL P.11? It seems to fit all the clues so far. Thanks; Ernie P.


The PZL P.11 was a Polish fighter aircraft, designed and constructed during the early 1930s by Warsaw-based aircraft manufacturer PZL. Possessing an all-metal structure, metal-covering, and high-mounted gull wing, the type held the distinction of being widely considered to have briefly been the most advanced fighter aircraft of its kind in the world.[1]The design of the P.11 commenced during the late 1920s, initially designated as the P.1. The primary individual responsible for its development was Polish aeronautical engineer Zygmunt Puławski, who has been attributed as having designed many of its innovative features. While the majority of the world's forces were still using biplanes, the P.1 used a high-mounted and aerodynamically clean gull wing, which provided the pilot with a superior field of view. During September 1929, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. The design quickly drew international attention; the general layout became commonly known as the "Polish wing" or "Puławski wing".The P.11 served as Poland's primary fighter defence throughout the 1930s, including during the Polish campaign of 1939 by neighbouring Nazi Germany. However, as a consequence of the rapid advances that had been in aircraft design during the late 1930s (seen in such fighters as the Messerschmitt Bf 109), it was outclassed by its rivals at the onset of the war.[1] The majority of the Polish Air Force's P.11s were destroyed during 1939; however, it is believed that as many as 36 were flown to Romania and were subsequently taken over by the Romanian Air Force.

H5606

No need to continue with more clues because that's it.

Including pictures of predecessor*, the target subject, and successor.

*Actually suspect I'm wrong here - not sure what this is - haven't been able to ID it - the strut to gear interface and tailwheel don't look typical here... Now thinking Yugoslavian, Ikarus IK-2? Mistook it for the PZL P.8.







Added pic of PZL P.8:

H5606

Forgive me for back-tracking... Trying to stay as accurate as possible in the interest of future visits here - researching this airplane identifies the model in the picture as the Zimmerman designed, V-173 (Flying Pancake), technology demonstrator for the XF5U (Flying Flapjack) which actually used wooden 3-blade props - not 4-blade as found on the intended production aircraft. All pictures I've seen are with 2- or 3-blade props however, it was originally equipped with F4U props which may have been 3- or 4-blades - I'm guessing 3-, since it was developed and tested early in the war. The V-173 was of all wood and fabric construction with fixed gear.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

The first aircraft pictured seems to me to be an Ikarus IK-2. Assuming I am now up (please confirm), I'll post something later today. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Guys; despite not having a confirmation from H5606, I'm going to assume I'm up. A few questions back, we were looking for a "second best" aircraft. Well, this subject aircraft was considered to be second best as well. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?

1. This aircraft was unfortunate enough to come into existence at the same time as a great and iconic aircraft.

2. A great and iconic aircraft that was much more favored by the pilots of the time.

3. As such, it was definitely considered “second best” by the men who flew it.

H5606

Just for the record, Ernie P. was correct and the winner with the PZL P.11. That's the one I was looking for.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks, H5606. And good going on your first question. Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?

1. This aircraft was unfortunate enough to come into existence at the same time as a great and iconic aircraft.

2. A great and iconic aircraft that was much more favored by the pilots of the time.

3. As such, it was definitely considered “second best” by the men who flew it.

4. It was, however, at least an equal to the enemy aircraft against which it was matched.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Sopwith Pup

JohnnyS

P-47 Thunderbolt?

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

No correct answers thus far; but here's a couple of bones clues to reward your efforts. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?

1. This aircraft was unfortunate enough to come into existence at the same time as a great and iconic aircraft.

2. A great and iconic aircraft that was much more favored by the pilots of the time.

3. As such, it was definitely considered “second best” by the men who flew it.

4. It was, however, at least an equal to the enemy aircraft against which it was matched.

5. Ironically, it was designed to emulate features of a current enemy aircraft.

6. The wing design of a foreign aircraft was largely emulated, if not outright copied, in the design of our subject aircraft.