Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
05-20-2020, 07:44 PM
Senior Member
I've been reading a book by Dana Bell on the colors and markings of the F4U-1 and there are several different patterns for the three color scheme just for the Corsair ,
depending on the date, factory (Vought, Goodyear, or Brewster), and it seems the whim of who was painting them at the time. So it seems that their is no right way and unless you have detailed color photos and a serial no. who can call you on it.
OK Back to the quiz.
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver.
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars".
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin.
4. Used by several countries.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for.
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system.
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters.
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear..
depending on the date, factory (Vought, Goodyear, or Brewster), and it seems the whim of who was painting them at the time. So it seems that their is no right way and unless you have detailed color photos and a serial no. who can call you on it.
OK Back to the quiz.
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver.
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars".
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin.
4. Used by several countries.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for.
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system.
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters.
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear..
Last edited by stang151; 05-20-2020 at 07:49 PM.
05-20-2020, 08:31 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
I've been reading a book by Dana Bell on the colors and markings of the F4U-1 and there are several different patterns for the three color scheme just for the Corsair ,
depending on the date, factory (Vought, Goodyear, or Brewster), and it seems the whim of who was painting them at the time. So it seems that their is no right way and unless you have detailed color photos and a serial no. who can call you on it.
OK Back to the quiz.
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver.
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars".
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin.
4. Used by several countries.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for.
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system.
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters.
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear..
depending on the date, factory (Vought, Goodyear, or Brewster), and it seems the whim of who was painting them at the time. So it seems that their is no right way and unless you have detailed color photos and a serial no. who can call you on it.
OK Back to the quiz.
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver.
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars".
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin.
4. Used by several countries.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for.
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system.
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters.
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear..
Answer: Lockheed Ventura
The Lockheed Ventura is a twin-engine medium bomber and patrol bomber of World War II.
The Ventura first entered combat in Europe as a bomber with the RAF in late 1942. Designated PV-1 by the United States Navy (US Navy), it entered combat in 1943 in the Pacific. The bomber was also used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), which designated it the Lockheed B-34 (Lexington) and B-37 as a trainer. British Commonwealth forces also used it in several guises, including antishipping and antisubmarine search and attack.
The Ventura was developed from the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport, as a replacement for the Lockheed Hudson bombers then in service with the Royal Air Force. Used in daylight attacks against occupied Europe, they proved to have weaknesses and were removed from bomber duty and some used for patrols by Coastal Command.
After USAAF monopolization of land-based bombers was removed, the US Navy ordered a revised design which entered service as the PV-2 Harpoon for anti-submarine work.
Civil conversions
Howard 350 executive conversion of the PV-1
Ex-military PV-1 Venturas from Canada and South Africa were converted by Howard Aero in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1950s and 1960s as high-speed executive transports. The earliest conversions, called Super Venturas, incorporated a 48 in (122 cm) fuselage stretch, extra fuel tankage, large picture windows, luxury interiors, and weapons bays transformed into baggage compartments. The landing gear was swapped for the heavier-duty units from the PV-2. Later conversions, of which eighteen were completed in the 1960s,[1] were called Howard 350s.[2]
At least nineteen PV-1s were further modified, including cabin pressurization under the designation Howard 500.[3] A final PV-1 modification by Howard was the Eldorado 700, with longer wings, a pointed nose, and streamlined engine cowlings.
A notable crash of a civilian version occurred on December 17, 1954, killing four, including Fred Miller, president of the Miller Brewing Company and grandson of founder Frederick Miller. The company plane was bound for Winnipeg, Manitoba, but had trouble with both engines and crashed shortly after takeoff from Mitchell Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[4][5] Also killed were his oldest son, 20-year-old Fred, Jr., and the two company pilots, Joseph and Paul Laird.[6][7]
Oakland Airmotive (later Bay Aviation Services, based in Oakland, California) also offered a PV-2 executive aircraft conversion dubbed Centaurus starting in 1958.[8] The cost of the conversion was $155,000 in addition to the airframe
05-21-2020, 08:52 AM
Senior Member
Yes Ernie, it is indeed the Lockheed/ Vega PV-1Ventura. It's hard coming up with clues to stump you guys and I knew that I would not be able to for long.
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver. A. The Hudson
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars". A. Vega ,a div. of Lockheed
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin. A. Twin engines/twin tails. Electra, Lodestar, Hudson, PV-1, PV-2
4. Used by several countries. A. Brits, Australia , Canada, New Zealand, ect.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled. A. The Brits. used it in daylight raids over France, with no fighter cover. Not a good idea.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for. A. The U.S. Army wanted the Wright R2600 rather than the more powerfull P&W R2800 .
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals. A. Walt Disney's artist painted the mouse and his pals on the side of many PV-1s as they came of the line.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of. A. Kinda looks like a bat wing.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system. A. Fowler flap tracks
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters. Gotta love those P&W R2800s
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear.
All yours Ernie
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver. A. The Hudson
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars". A. Vega ,a div. of Lockheed
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin. A. Twin engines/twin tails. Electra, Lodestar, Hudson, PV-1, PV-2
4. Used by several countries. A. Brits, Australia , Canada, New Zealand, ect.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled. A. The Brits. used it in daylight raids over France, with no fighter cover. Not a good idea.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for. A. The U.S. Army wanted the Wright R2600 rather than the more powerfull P&W R2800 .
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals. A. Walt Disney's artist painted the mouse and his pals on the side of many PV-1s as they came of the line.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of. A. Kinda looks like a bat wing.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system. A. Fowler flap tracks
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters. Gotta love those P&W R2800s
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear.
All yours Ernie
05-21-2020, 09:34 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Yes Ernie, it is indeed the Lockheed/ Vega PV-1Ventura. It's hard coming up with clues to stump you guys and I knew that I would not be able to for long.
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver. A. The Hudson
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars". A. Vega ,a div. of Lockheed
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin. A. Twin engines/twin tails. Electra, Lodestar, Hudson, PV-1, PV-2
4. Used by several countries. A. Brits, Australia , Canada, New Zealand, ect.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled. A. The Brits. used it in daylight raids over France, with no fighter cover. Not a good idea.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for. A. The U.S. Army wanted the Wright R2600 rather than the more powerfull P&W R2800 .
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals. A. Walt Disney's artist painted the mouse and his pals on the side of many PV-1s as they came of the line.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of. A. Kinda looks like a bat wing.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system. A. Fowler flap tracks
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters. Gotta love those P&W R2800s
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear.
All yours Ernie
Looking for a warbird,
1. Built as an improvement of an earlier plane, bigger, faster, and of course heaver. A. The Hudson
2. Built by a division of the manufacturer of the "stars". A. Vega ,a div. of Lockheed
3. One glance and a knowledgeable observer would know it's origin. A. Twin engines/twin tails. Electra, Lodestar, Hudson, PV-1, PV-2
4. Used by several countries. A. Brits, Australia , Canada, New Zealand, ect.
5. In it's first use in combat, by an alley, it was found wanting. It was pulled from the front line and assigned a more mundane if. not much needed role, at which it excelled. A. The Brits. used it in daylight raids over France, with no fighter cover. Not a good idea.
6. Two of the home country's services ordered it but with different engines. one with slightly less power than which it was designed for. A. The U.S. Army wanted the Wright R2600 rather than the more powerfull P&W R2800 .
7. As they came off the production line most were endorsed by a somewhat famous mouse and his pals. A. Walt Disney's artist painted the mouse and his pals on the side of many PV-1s as they came of the line.
8. Had a wing planform that some say, Bruce Wayne would approve of. A. Kinda looks like a bat wing.
9. This was the result of the large effective landing flap system. A. Fowler flap tracks
10.Though not as nimble as the fighters it would come across, it's crews knew it had an ace in the hole, speed.
11. This high top speed ,( 322 M.P.H) was the result of the larger engines (4000 combined hp.) usually found on the home country's fighters. Gotta love those P&W R2800s
12. The armament wasn't too bad either , later models could bring to bear 7 guns to the front and 3 to the rear.
All yours Ernie
05-21-2020, 02:04 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
This one won't go very long, because not much information is available, but I think it will be fun. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
05-22-2020, 01:08 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
05-22-2020, 09:17 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
05-22-2020, 12:30 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
A couple of evening clues. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
05-22-2020, 08:13 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Not the Taube, my friend; but I can see how you thought that. Here's a bonus clue to help you narrow things down a bit. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
05-23-2020, 02:48 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
05-23-2020, 04:58 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Sorry, Guys; I spent the day at the flying field and the late afternoon and evening working in the garden. So I'll toss in a bonus clue with the afternoon and evening clues. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
05-23-2020, 07:41 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
A great, though incorrect, answer, Sir. So I'll award you a bonus clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
05-24-2020, 01:55 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Only one clue today. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
12. Armament was light; a single .303 machine gun.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
12. Armament was light; a single .303 machine gun.
05-24-2020, 06:40 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
12. Armament was light; a single .303 machine gun.
13. It used Fowler flaps.
05-24-2020, 09:02 PM
My Feedback: (6)
How about this one?
Well I'm sure the answer was in there!
Now that was funny, sorry for the long read
Well I'm sure the answer was in there!
Now that was funny, sorry for the long read
Last edited by elmshoot; 05-25-2020 at 04:40 AM. Reason: Removed about 400lines of code
05-25-2020, 06:32 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
What warbird do I describe?
1. This Army aircraft was not a direct copy, but was in most respects very similar to an aircraft operated by an ally.
2. Certainly, it was directly compared to the other aircraft during testing and acceptance.
3. And it looked much like the other aircraft.
4. And it flew much the same.
5. Almost all nation’s armies had aircraft that were quite similar in their flight characteristics.
6. And used for much the same purposes.
7. Our subject aircraft was used in a variety of roles, as were most similar aircraft.
8. Its payload was small; only a few hundred pounds.
9. Crew of two.
10. Single radial engine.
11. Some variants were equipped with arrestor hooks.
12. Armament was light; a single .303 machine gun.
13. It used Fowler flaps.
14. It first flew in 1941.
15. And was put in production in late 1942.
16. Its service record was excellent in all its roles.
17. It was very slow, however.
18. But that wasn’t considered to be a handicap in its intended roles.
19. It sometimes carried depth charges.
20. And operated from a carrier.
21. It served until the end of the war.
22. And was later flown by at least one foreign country.
23. It was a high wing monoplane.
24. Maximum speed was a bit over 100 mph.
Answer: The Kokusai Ki-76
The Kokusai Ki-76, or Liaison Aircraft Type 3 (in Japanese: 三式指揮連絡機), was a Japanese high-wing monoplane artillery spotter and liaison aircraft that served in World War II. The Allied reporting name was "Stella".
Design and development
In 1940, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ordered the Nippon Kokusai Koku Kogyo to produce an artillery spotting and liaison aircraft. The resulting Ki-76 was inspired by, and similar to, the German Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch", although not a direct copy. Like the Storch, it was a high-winged monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. However, rather than the slotted flaps used by the German aircraft, the Ki-76 used Fowler flaps, while it was powered by Hitachi Ha-42 radial engine rather than the Argus As 10 inline engine of the Storch.
First flying in May 1941, the Ki-76 proved successful when evaluated against an example of the Fi-156, and was ordered into production as the Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane in November 1942.
Operational history
Ki-76 on the Akitsu Maru
The Ki-76 remained in service as an artillery spotter and liaison aircraft until the end of the war. Ki-76s were also used as anti-submarine aircraft, operating from the Japanese Army's escort carrier, the Akitsu Maru, being fitted with an arrestor hook and carrying two 60 kg (132 lb) depth charges.
Operators
Japan
·
· Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Thailand
·
· Royal Thai Air Force
Specifications (Ki-76)
Data from Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War
General characteristics
· Crew: 2
·
· Length: 9.65 m (31 ft 8 in)
·
· Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
·
· Height: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
·
· Wing area: 29.4 m2 (316 sq ft)
·
· Empty weight: 1,110 kg (2,447 lb)
·
· Gross weight: 1,530 kg (3,373 lb)
·
· Max takeoff weight: 1,623 kg (3,578 lb)
·
· Powerplant: 1 × Hitachi Ha42 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 231 kW (310 hp)
·
· Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Performance
·
· Maximum speed: 178 km/h (111 mph, 96 kn) at sea level
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· Range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi)
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· Service ceiling: 5,630 m (18,470 ft)
Armament
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· Guns: 1× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine gun in rear cockpit
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· Bombs: 2× 60 kg (132 lb) depth charges (some variants)
Last edited by Ernie P.; 05-25-2020 at 06:35 AM.
05-25-2020, 06:56 AM
My Feedback: (6)
Hydro deserves more of the credit than I do, because his Storch guess was the key. After that, it was just a matter of looking for a radial-engine Storch-like plane from Japan or Italy, and there it was. If he's willing, I'll let him do the next quiz.
Anybody know whether the Stella was as mechanically complicated and as hard to fly as the Storch? I think of the Storch as the symbol of what was wrong with German design at the time. All that effort and expense to make an airplane that had great performance figures but was complicated and hard to repair and needed a skilled pilot. Better to buy Cubs, paint them green, and have guys who had minimal pilot training fly them. And they could be repaired by pretty much any American farm boy. The Storch was great engineering but absurd economics.
Anybody know whether the Stella was as mechanically complicated and as hard to fly as the Storch? I think of the Storch as the symbol of what was wrong with German design at the time. All that effort and expense to make an airplane that had great performance figures but was complicated and hard to repair and needed a skilled pilot. Better to buy Cubs, paint them green, and have guys who had minimal pilot training fly them. And they could be repaired by pretty much any American farm boy. The Storch was great engineering but absurd economics.
Last edited by Top_Gunn; 05-25-2020 at 07:05 AM.
05-25-2020, 02:19 PM
Al, you got it, I just pointed you in the right direction. Gee, that sounds very similar to what I do at work, point people in the right direction
I can do the next one if you would rather that be the case, I'll give you the choice on this one. Just Let me know which way we're going on this one.
I can do the next one if you would rather that be the case, I'll give you the choice on this one. Just Let me know which way we're going on this one.
05-25-2020, 03:34 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Guys; I'll leave it up to you as to who is up. If it helps, I figured the Storch would be a very early guess; but the jump to the Stella would take longer. Thanks; Ernie P.
05-25-2020, 04:17 PM
My Feedback: (6)
Al, you got it, I just pointed you in the right direction. Gee, that sounds very similar to what I do at work, point people in the right direction
I can do the next one if you would rather that be the case, I'll give you the choice on this one. Just Let me know which way we're going on this one.
I can do the next one if you would rather that be the case, I'll give you the choice on this one. Just Let me know which way we're going on this one.