Aircraft Trivia Quiz

Brews wrote:

Mk 82 Retarded

Well, you know what? I didn't research my question.

I was thinking that the improvised weapon, a World War Two "Para Frag" bomb evolved into the Snake Eye. But Para Frags were less than 25lbs!

So, I was going for, Para Frag.

Brews, I'm accepting your answer even though there's no "improvised" element.

My bad.

 Brews, you've got the floor!

OK airplane nuts,

The Snake Eye was a bona fide and sanctified weapon that was purposefully manufactured. What earlier, improvised weapon did it derive from?

(Exact term only will be accepted)

The R-4360-51 was probably one of THE most complex airplane motors ever, Hmmm... probably a tie with the Napier Nomad in complexity!

Thinking of question currently. Give me a couple of minutes!

That is indeed correct Trexx.

They would have had to put tractor props on it through extension shafts that would increase drag and the Air Force decided it wasn't worth it. Plus jet engines were coming out so they just added engine pods as a "quick fix".

Your turn.

A:

Convair B-36C

...an attempt to improve performance by using Pratt & Whitney R-4360-51 variable discharge turbine (VDT, or turbocompound) engines, rated at 4300hp each

WarHammer25 wrote:

Sorry about the wait guys. New Question: When trying to find a way to make the B-36 faster, designers came up with a plan to modify existing airframes. This modification was given its own letter suffix but was never produced. What was the aircraft model and what was the modification?

A:

YB-60 (original designation was B-36G), all-jet bomber. It was based on the B-36; however, it had a much more swept wing, longer fuselage and was taller.

Sorry about the wait guys. New Question:

When trying to find a way to make the B-36 faster, designers came up with a plan to modify existing airframes. This modification was given its own letter suffix but was never produced. What was the aircraft model and what was the modification?

o mee gawd. I can't believe I didn't think of it... I vaguely recall the "hotel room" story too! DANG.

Good work, WarHammer!

Did I say the T-33 was no longer in service? - OK you get that one, I didn't realise that the T-33 was still working.

Regards the B-52, yes you are correct. Boeing designers, headed by Ed Wells were to give a presentation of their proposal at Wright Field, they were notified by Colonel Pete Warden that their porposal would have to be altered significantly. The Boeing men were given until the start of the following week to re-work their porposal, which they did over the weekend in a hotel room. For the presentation, they purchased Balsa from a local hobby shop to make to make, paint & mark a desktop model.

It would seem recently that the B-52 has a mission capable rate of 80%, against the B-2's 26%. By the looks of this picture, it is also faster in  a drag race;

The T-33 is still in service around the world.

How about the B-52?

? Dont recollect the P-80 still being in service.

This A/C first flew in the same year that the US lit up their first hydrogen bomb & is currently slated to be operational for another 30+ years. It has survived as it is "effective, economical & reliable", it has a proven ready rate of 54% more than its modern & expensive contemporary.

No.

Consider the long served (very long) bit, this is still a current in service A/C.

Sorry for the delay;

Which long served A/C (too long say some) was more or less designed over a weekend & sold with the assistance of a local hobby shop? 

No more exposed than a shoulder-wing monoplane, with great visibility to the inside of a turning dogfight :)

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Inbox/d-f/floh-i.htm

Brews wrote:

Thank you, and sorry for the delay. I'm thinking of an aircraft that didn't  make it into service, though the prototype was faster than its contemporaries.  Officials quoted a high landing speed and poor downward visibility, but perhaps its appearance played a part in their decision.  More clues as necessary. Link to pic obligatory.  EDIT: At the behest of a private message, I'll tighten this up a bit and note that it's a WWI vintage aircraft.

"Poor Downward Visability" doesn't begin to describe the flaws with this aircraft! How about NO downward visability!? I wonder why they thought placing the cockpit on top of the upper wing was a good idea? Take about being "exposed" in a dogfight!

Thanks for the info. I always like to learn about the "oddities" that show up in the Trivia Quiz! 

See, it wasn't such a difficult question!

180km/h! woooooooohooooooooo

OTU

My the ATQ has been quiet of late, anyhow;

The DFW T.28 Floh (Flea - wonder why it was called that?) http://airwar.ru/image/idop/fww1/t28/t28-2.jpg ;

Thank you, and sorry for the delay.

I'm thinking of an aircraft that didn't  make it into service, though the prototype was faster than its contemporaries. 

Officials quoted a high landing speed and poor downward visibility, but perhaps its appearance played a part in their decision. 

More clues as necessary. Link to pic obligatory. 

EDIT: At the behest of a private message, I'll tighten this up a bit and note that it's a WWI vintage aircraft. 

Yes;

David Davis & his "Davis Wing" & the "rolltop desk" style bomb bay doors. The roller doors were of such light construction, that in the even of the doors failing to operate, they were designed in such a manner that the bomb load could be dropped through them. Story has it that anyone unfortunate enough to loose their footing on the bomb bay walkway during flight, would more than likley fall through the bombay doors (anyone know if this is correct?).

B-24 Liberator.

"Davis" Wing cross-section

Roll-top desk (like the bomb bay doors)

OK, the B-36 was conceived during WW2 at a point when it looked as if the UK might fall to Germany (as if) - Without the UK being available to fly from, this would have left the US without any capability to carry out strategic bombing mission on Germany - hence the requirement for a bomber that could reach Germany from the US.

The YB-49 was NOT part of this plan, however the YB-35 upon which it was based, was.

They were both the first intercontinental bombers; true. But what were they originally designed to bomb. That is what I am looking for in your answer.