Aircraft Trivia Quiz

Those old airframes are becoming hazardous: a friend of mine, who's a commerical pilot for USAir, had a friend die flying on of those CASA 2.111 -- don't know if it was one that played a Heinkel 111 in the films Battle of Britain or Patton, but it could have been.  The metalurgy from even 50 years ago doesn't last forever.   

Glad Tallman didn't die on film as his partner did, but he did die doing what he loved!  I hope we all can. 

I've got a photo of me sitting in the black Fokker Triplane used in "The Great Waldo Pepper" that was in the museum. The Movieland of the Air Museum, or something like that, in 1975. It had a steel framed kitchen chair with hyde of nauga in place, so I don't think it actually flew.

Well, I hope not!

I also have attended the Reno Air Races since 1970 and remember Frank Tallman flying that Grumman Duck in an aerobatic display that was stunning. He had that bird doing things it was certainly not designed to do!

Frank Tallman wrote a really cool book 20 or more years ago (I got it as a member of the Military Book Club circa 1975 ... so I guess that makes it more like 30+ years ago!) -- Flying the Old Planes.  Lots of neat memoires of his years with Paul Mantz and great pics of a Bleriot IX, a DH 2, the Spirit of Saint Louis (those were all reproductions, of course), the B-25s used in Catch-22, and (as they say) many many more.

See if you can track it down at your library, it's great.

Wow, you guys type a lot faster than I do!

When I was 16, my family was on vacation in El Lay so my dad and I went out to the Tallmantz museum. The place was empty of people and we had it all to ourselves. What a blast!

Alright, I'll give that one to you.

Paul Mantz was, of course, killed in the crash of the airplane built for Flight of the Phoenix, and his partner Frank Tallman was the pilot who flew through the billboard in Mad Mad World. That was the connection I was looking to find, their partnership, Tallmantz Aviation.

What's on deck for us bondoman?

Paul Mantz

Here is an interesting one concerning movie flying, if that's okay?

What do the movies "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and the original "Flight of the Phoenix" have in common?

It may be a stretch, but there is a connection and it's a lot closer than six degrees. And no, it's not Kevin Bacon!

OK, Matt.  You got it, and you also get into the sick mind column with me...and more than a few others around here

And the prize is...

You have to come up with the next baffler!!! 

Oooh, I know this one. How sick is that?!

The copilot was a 'blowup doll' with a t-shirt that read "Otto is My Copilot!"

And don't call me Shirley!

For the next question, a bit of comic relief.

What was the odd nature of the final copilot in a movie titled "Airplane", and how does he tie in to Trexx's question? 

Otto.

On the side of the hang glider he flew was inscribed: 

Otto-Pilot 

jeaton01 wrote:

That would be Lilienthal, who broke his neck testing his theories.

Uh... what was that an entire 60 seconds?! OOOOOhhhh! You smarty pants... ! DRAT!

What is the first name then...?

mojodoctor wrote:

Is anybody out there?   trexx, I really hope you are not near any of these fires and that all are safe. Not sure where in California you are located, but it is affecting just about everyone in one way or another.   Be safe and keep 'em flying!

Ooops! Sorry guys. I'm safe, thanks for your concern. I did get ill from the brown air. Apparently 12 days of less than an 1/8 of mile visability finally got to me. Things are much better now.

 Here's your question:

What European is known as the father of hang gliding?

He's also known as the first to field the idea that "heavier than air flight" will require a cumulation of data and tests that are more than likely beyond the scope of a single individual. Paraphrasing: "A culture of flying will be needed to solve the proplems of engineering and aerodynamics to achieve the dream of powered flight with wings"

Is anybody out there?

trexx, I really hope you are not near any of these fires and that all are safe. Not sure where in California you are located, but it is affecting just about everyone in one way or another.

Be safe and keep 'em flying!

Correct on all counts trexx!

Whatcha got fer us?

Charles Kingsford Smith

1928

Fokker VIIb/3m "Southern Cross"

Thanks for the sentiments about my dealing with the local revenu'ers!

This story is not over yet.

Here is an easy one and may have already been adressed.

Who, when, and in what aircraft was the first trans-Pacific flight made?

Matt, sorry you had that run in.  I hate it when law enforcement is used for revenue generation. 

The props on the production B-32's were all Curtiss Electric.  They were also made with hollow steel blades, one of the first uses of that method of blade construction.  The inboards were reversible as on the prototype.

Bill, study the hub, it is typically Curtiss , although the blade shape does resemble the Hamilton Standard profile.

We've probably had enough fun with this one.  Since Osher didn't weigh in on the "tie breaker", in my vast authority as the Asker Of The Question, I shall award the win to Matt.     

Here is a picture of Hobo Queen.  It was on the same mission as the B-32 that was attacked, but split off to go to a different photo target before the Zeros and Shidens showed up.  Best view of the Curtiss prop hubs.

I know , I know!!!! CE's!

Cheers, Richie

The original 3 wackers were Ham's. The four blades are certainly not Curtiss Wrights, look to me to be a four blade Hamilton (?).

Reverse pitch on the inner two- ok.

Here's "luck". I've done the appointed public official bit for a while. Your Chief is intent on becoming the chief of SLO and then the Monterey County Sheriff, then Salinas PD etc. Why else would anyone in their sane mind do that job. I'd say to him Chief, we love you, I'm an upstanding citizen (if you are) and its too bad we all don't get more one on ones with those of you who toe the thin blue line. On account of which, have your way but bear in mind that those of us in S Beach and Groover City that go to the council meetings and speak on various issues would really like to make sure we're all in the same camp. I for one want to be protected by the likes of those who understand my problems and know that I'll be there to support yours, when the time comes.

He's more in a worry about John Publics opinion than you might think, because he has an very unrewarding job and is looking for your support.

Again, all that I can find is that the original prototypes had three bladed Hamilton Standard props with a twin tail, ala B-24. I haven't been able to find who made the four bladed props, so I'll go with Hamilton Standard.

And this is all in the lousiest day I've had in a long time. Between the local Pismo Beach Police Department's fines and impound costs, towing and registration on my old car that was already registered, I spent over $500 today. Phooey!

I'm going to have a meeting with the local PD head on Monday morning. Wish me luck!

Propellors?

Uh,...... the two inboard props were reversible if that counts!

Nice work on those figures. I have read Sakai's book and saw him at the Reno Air Races signing autographs along with 'Pappy' Boyington in the late 70's, I think.