Aircraft Trivia Quiz

Let's try an easy one to keep things rolling along!

Whatisit?

 Is that a "Caribou"?

                      60

No 60, it is not a Caribou.

This aircraft was in production for fourteen years and served with the militaries of several different nations. It was originally intended for both military and civilian use. Earlier this year, intentions for a return to production were offered and it may just go forward!

G'day mate!  The airplane in the picture is a GAF Nomad.

It was designed in 1965 and first flown in 1971 by the Government Aircraft Factory in Australia which later became Aerospace Technologies of Australia Ltd. (ASTA).  The idea was to spur the growth of an indiginous aircraft industry in Australia.

Boeing purchased the rights to the aircraft when it bought the Rockwell group in 1996 and recently (June 08) Boeing sold the airworthiness certificate to Gippsland Aeronautics Pty Ltd. in Morwell, Victoria, Australia.

There are currently 54 GAF Nomads flying.  Gippsland hopes to build and sell 200 aircraft.

Tom Shema

Yup, that's it!

This one is in the markings of the U.S. Border Patrol.

What have you got for us Tom?

Happy New Aviation modeling Year to all of you plastic scratchers out there!

The first question of the New Year is:

One hundred years ago (I won't give the date because it will make this easy question too easy, but it happend in 1909) this pioneer aviator set a speed record of a blistering 47.06 mph (75.48 km/h) at a landmark internation aviation event.  Theodore Roosevelt was there to witness this triumph. 

1. who set this speed record?

2. what airplane was he flying?

3. who was his chief rival?

Tom Shema

mojodoc,

The third part is inversely correct.  Bleriot was Curtiss's rival at this even held August 28th 1909 in Reims, France, however it wasn't Louis who brought home the Bennett Cup or set the record.

What airplane was Curtiss flying?

 Tom Shema

Curtiss Golden Flyer?

mojodoctor,

Yes.  Curtiss was flying a souped-up Golden flyer, stripped of excess weight and ready to race.  Bleriot gave him a run for the money.  The competion was keen, but in the end the stopwatches gave the race to Curtiss by only seconds.

 The next question is yours.

Tom Shema

Okay here is another easy one!

Name one of the three fastest vehicles to be fitted with an ejection seat, but never used?

Not the Mercury capsule as it used the rocket propelled escape tower.

Another try?

The Russian shuttle Buran?

 I know the Vostok rocket that took Gagarin into space had an ejection seat in it because he used it to eject after re-entryand landed under his own parachute. This would disqualify it as an answer to your question.

Dang!

I never research my own questions enough before posting. I was looking for the Gemini, Vostok and Columbia Shuttle (only the first four flights) as the answers possible but forgot Gagarin ejected. I don't think the Buran actually had the seats installed on it's only 'flight', but I'm probably wrong about that too!

Over to you davros.

Sorry for the delay in setting a new challenge. It seems that this part is harder than answering the question.

Anyway here it is.

Although considered obsolete at the start of WW2; this aircraft managed to make laasting impression in one theatre of war. Its propellor was changed from twin blade to three blade to improve climb performance and its pilots were able to fool enemy into thinking were facing many more than they actually were.

Can you name it and also where it had its finest hour?

WarHammer25 wrote:

Gloster Gladiator at Malta?

We have a winner! I think its performance, over Malta, proves that an old 'plane in good hands can, often, be better than a new one in poor hands.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Gladiator#Malta

Anyway; your turn to step up to the plate now WarHammer25.

Thanks davros. I actually had no idea the Gladiator ever had a three blade propellor until I saw that photo on wikipedia.

The question:
When the Cold War was in full swing in the late 40's and early 50's, the U.S. was introducing their new B-47 and B-52 to supplement and eventually replace the B-36 as well as the introduction of Britain's V-Bombers. To compete with these new aircraft, the USSR issued a request for a new strategic bomber capable of bombing the U.S. and to replace the Tu-85. There were guidelines specifying that a certain engine or combination of engines must be used on the aircraft. Two planes that were designed to meet these requirements entered production and have seen active service. What are the two aircraft?

I think that this is an easy enough question. The second plane could be challenging though.

You are partially correct osher. One is indeed the Tu-95 Bear, but the IL-28 is incorrect.

simpilot34 wrote:

Bear and the Bison?

That is correct simpilot. The Tu-95 Bear and the M-4 Bison both came about because of this request. One would think the Tu-16 Badger was the other plane but it isn't. The Badger was designed before this request, and the Badger wasn't designed to bomb targets in the United States. It was designed to bomb US installations in Europe and Asia as well as bomb NATO targets in those continents. Over to you simpilot34.

First time back after my move, didn't expect to get one straight away! lol

Ok here goes: Identify the pilot who flew more combat missions than anyone else in the war(WWII).