I agree there must be one heck of a story!

Not much on WiKI. But Reading between the lines I surmise the CIA wanted the airplane built by some one else, maybe reverse engineer the plane and get it built for less money. Not sure.
I don't believe the principles are alive today to give an explanation,

1. Airplane
2. less than 25 produced
3. Built for one country but subsequently sold to another country when expectations and mission changed.
4. It could carry more than the pilot
5. The airplane MFG only made 4 different designs. One is quite recognizable (500+) and our Quiz subject is similar in configuration.
6. If you flew this plane it would require a special endorsement to pilot.
7. Unlikely it carried its full compliment of PAX in a combat role. Correction it did carry at least one other crew member so 2 souls on board when in combat.
8. When in combat there was no indication there was any threat from enemy airplanes.
9, Only forward firing ordinance apparently was rockets.
10. It would fit in my T-hangar but the door wouldn't close all the way, too long for a standard T-Hangar.
11. American MFG
12. Equipped with small bombs by today's std.
13. The Company didn't last and the largest production airplane was tried to put back into production after ownership changing hands numerous times, latest attempt 2004
14. The CIA was investigated as possibly trying to put the original company out of business but never went any where.
15. "Conventional"
16. Power plane was the venerable Prat and Whitney PT6 Turboprop.
17. This plane could be classified as being a member of a small group of aircraft that came into prominence in the 50's and onward.
18. Relatively inexpensive the class of planes were produced by many different MFG from all over the world.

Sparky

Adrian,
Congratulations!!! You are correct....
The Helio AU-24 Stallion was an American armed gunship, counter-insurgency, and utility transport developed for the United States Air Force. A total of 20 were built during the Vietnam War, with most of the aircraft being later sold to the Khmer Air Force.



1. Airplane
2. less than 25 produced 20 built
3. Built for one country but subsequently sold to another country when expectations and mission changed. USAF project and subsequently sold to Cambodia military
4. It could carry more than the pilot It could carry 9 PAX
5. The airplane MFG only made 4 different designs. One is quite recognizable (500+) and our Quiz subject is similar in configuration. Helio built the Courier, this plane and a twin and crop duster that was still borne
6. If you flew this plane it would require a special endorsement to pilot. Taildragger endorsement
7. Unlikely it carried its full compliment of PAX in a combat role. Correction it did carry at least one other crew member so 2 souls on board when in combat. Small airplane the more people on board the less amo that can be carried. I guess it had some oen to maintain and reload the guns so likely it carred and armorror
8. When in combat there was no indication there was any threat from enemy airplanes. slow and easy target to shoot down.
9, Only forward firing ordinance apparently was rockets. COIN fighter
10. It would fit in my T-hangar but the door wouldn't close all the way, too long for a standard T-Hangar. My hangar is 45'X35' and it is 41'x39'
11. American MFG Helio
12. Equipped with small bombs by today's std.
13. The Company didn't last and the largest production airplane was tried to put back into production after ownership changing hands numerous times, latest attempt 2004
14. The CIA was investigated as possibly trying to put the original company out of business but never went any where.
15. "Conventional"
16. Power plane was the venerable Prat and Whitney PT6 Turboprop.
17. This plane could be classified as being a member of a small group of aircraft that came into prominence in the 50's and onward. COIN
18. Relatively inexpensive the class of planes were produced by many different MFG from all over the world.

[QUOTE=elmshoot;12533443]Adrian,
Congratulations!!! You are correct....
The Helio AU-24 Stallion was an American armed gunship, counter-insurgency, and utility transport developed for the United States Air Force. A total of 20 were built during the Vietnam War, with most of the aircraft being later sold to the Khmer Air Force.

Congratulations to the both of you! Sparky; this is one of which I had never heard. Adrian; good answer. I hope you now have a good question for us. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie,
My network Brain trust suggested this plane. I was going to use the COIN clue earlier but that would be a give away. I too would like to hear more about the CIA entanglement in this affair.
I have seen the Courier and I believe I went by the factory one time in the distant past were I saw a bunch of Couriers on the line....
Sparky

Adrian; you are up! Please post your question for us. Thanks; Ernie P.

All; apparently Adrian has done a drive by on us and isn't going to post a question or respond to the PM's I've sent him. The floor is now open to the first person to post a question. If no one responds by tomorrow evening, I will post a question. It would be nice to hear from some of the lurkers or new posters, though. Again; the floor is open to the first person to post a question. Thanks; Ernie P.

Seeing no volunteers, off we go. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?


Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.

Today's clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?

Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.

2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.

P-26 peashooter

Not the Peashooter, Sparky; but as per normal, you earn a bonus clue for your effort and today's clue. Sorry to be slow responding. Something about being out in the hot sun all day at a Pattern contest, followed by a neighbor's farewell party. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?


Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.

Long shot: Me 163?

Sir; the Me 163 was a dangerous airplane. Our subject aircraft demonstrably was not. But, you get a bonus clue for participation. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.

Today will be a long day, so here's your today's clue, a bit early. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.

All; I caught an early break in today's activities and thought I'd post a bonus clue for you. Enjoy! Thanks; Ernie P.



Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.



7. And their loss rates were horrible.

Airco DH.2

I'm not sure I would consider the DH.2 to be a sitting duck, Sparky; but it is a valid guess and I'll award a bonus clue to aid your search. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.



7. And their loss rates were horrible.



8. On many missions, their loss rates exceeded 50%.

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.



7. And their loss rates were horrible.



8. On many missions, their loss rates exceeded 50%.



9. Our subject aircraft was a low wing monoplane.

I was going with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 but it's not a low wing monoplane. How about the Brewster Buffalo?

Another possibility is the Devastator, although the problems there may have been more with tactics and torpedos than with the airplane itself, though it was obsolete by the time it got into combat.

Johnny and Al; neither answer is correct, but you both get a bonus for participation. Please try again. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.



7. And their loss rates were horrible.



8. On many missions, their loss rates exceeded 50%.



9. Our subject aircraft was a low wing monoplane.



10. One which replaced well known biplanes.



11. Single engine.

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.



7. And their loss rates were horrible.



8. On many missions, their loss rates exceeded 50%.



9. Our subject aircraft was a low wing monoplane.



10. One which replaced well known biplanes.



11. Single engine.



12. Powered by an iconic engine.

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.Question: What warbird do I describe?



Clues:

1. This plane is NOT remembered for being particularly successful.



2. In fact, it was demonstrably unsuccessful.



3. But it is remembered for the bravery of the men who flew it.



4. Their bravery was memorialized by awards and decorations.



5. And at their funerals.



6. They were widely considered to be no more than fodder for enemy fighters.



7. And their loss rates were horrible.



8. On many missions, their loss rates exceeded 50%.



9. Our subject aircraft was a low wing monoplane.



10. One which replaced well known biplanes.



11. Single engine.



12. Powered by an iconic engine.



13. An engine which powered a number of eminently successful aircraft.