Aircraft Trivia Quiz

Brews wrote:

I think that the world's largest float plane would have come from the first world war, when one Zeppelin-Staaken RVI was converted to floats in 1917.  With a greater span than a B-29, I'd regard it as larger than a C-47.

Sorry brews, I still have to give the answer to Chris. I wasn't aware of the Zeppelin-Staaken ever being put on floats, so yes that would be bigger, however that plane would have met its demise long before the DC-3 ever flew. The question read, "What type of plane 'became' the world's largest float plane and was tested as a glider", and the Zepp was not tested as a glider.

Cheers, Richie

I think that the world's largest float plane would have come from the first world war, when one Zeppelin-Staaken RVI was converted to floats in 1917.  With a greater span than a B-29, I'd regard it as larger than a C-47.

Well done Chris! The floor is yours!

bondo, i know its acceptable, was just poking fun. Seeing if I could get a bite from him, lol.

Cheers, Richie

simpilot34 wrote:

I got it without ever seeing the clip! Chalk another one up for common knowledge! Wasn't there a complaint about online research before?

It would have to be the DC-3/ C-47. There was a floatplane version, the C-47C, one of which remains flying today:

and it was also tested as a glider, as the XCG-17:

Cheers,

Chris.

The Spruce Goose comes to mind as the world's largest "float" plane, but I didn't think it would have been tested in gliding, since it's only flight was under power.

Other big a/c with true floats as opposed to flying boats would include He 115, C-47 and Ju-52 - again, I  am unaware of gliding tests with these. 

I got it without ever seeing the clip! Chalk another one up for common knowledge! Wasn't there a complaint about online research before? I did google West Wing and just could not find the opening clip in question. There are only so many 4 engined jet combat aircraft. About the only one before the B-45 would have been the Ar 234 Blitz. Sorry for rambling, lol.

Okay next question.

What type of plane became the world's largest "float plane", and was also tested as a glider?

Cheers, Richie

BTW, I have two different B-45s :) snip one in 1:72 by a French company whose name escapes me. Maybe Mach 2, maybe FM, maybe something else.

It's Mach 2,   Bruce:

 http://www.swannysmodels.com/B45.html

Wish you luck, and best to order a container-load of Milliput!

Cheers,

Chris.

chris hall wrote:

the series as a whole is riddled with military mistakes.

So is the White House, isn't it? 

BTW, I have two different B-45s :) One in nominal 1:96 (possibly 1:120, I haven't measured it) by FROG and one in 1:72 by a French company whose name escapes me. Maybe Mach 2, maybe FM, maybe something else. I'm pretty sure I bought two.

simpilot34 wrote:

LOL earlier than the B-58??? what about B-45 Tornado? Cheers, Richie

From my post, ten posts previoulsy:

But a jet....with four engines.....and a combat aircraft....

B-45 Tornado it is! Check out the opening sequences of the first two episodes in series 1. I think they may have featured in later episodes, too. I've always thought 'why are they using B-45s' when I look at the opening credits. Must be because they're long out of service, but the series as a whole is riddled with military mistakes.

Your turn, Richie!

Cheers,

Chris.

bondoman wrote:

cardshark_14 wrote: I've never seen the show, but Chris never said it had to be a jet, there are plenty of 4-engined USAF aircraft that are prop jobs... Oh yes he did, otherwise it's a no-brainer because the President was pilot of the Memphis Belle and The Great Artiste. And the X-1 but rocket assist doesn't count.

You're right, Bondo, my mistake. It wasn't in the original question, but he did say it.

cardshark_14 wrote:

I've never seen the show, but Chris never said it had to be a jet, there are plenty of 4-engined USAF aircraft that are prop jobs...

chris hall wrote:

Nope, and nope. Earlier than the B-58 and the 707. Earlier than the Dash-80, come to that. Cheers, Chris.

Well I cannot remember the lead-in, but a four jet prior to the B-58 could only be the:

Short Sperrin!!! Saw lots of combat over the Irish Sea and managed to crash itself at least one time.

LOL earlier than the B-58??? what about B-45 Tornado?

Cheers, Richie

Nope, and nope. Earlier than the B-58 and the 707. Earlier than the Dash-80, come to that.

Cheers,

Chris.

Much , much earlier huh? What about the B-58 Hustler?

Cheers, Richie

A-6 is good. I've just watched episode 6 from the 1st season, and it featued an A-6 in the opening credits. The other aircraft featured only in the earliest episodes. Not an B-1. Much, much, earlier.

But a jet....with four engines.....and a combat aircraft....

Cheers,

Chris.

I can't find a video of the first series opening credits but, I know the USN/USMC plane is the    A-6 Intruder. The other being a 4 engine combat aircraft? Hmmmm........B-1 ?

Cheers

Yup, that's all the B747 users. Now, how about the opening sequence aircraft? A clue - the USAF aircraft is shown in the opening sequence for the first two series only, and has four engines. It's a combat aircraft, remember, so that should shorten the list of possibles.

Cheers,

Chris. 

All of the countries are: Bahrain, Brunei, India, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

The one for the UAE is an 747SP. I saw it when I was in Desert Storm. Absolutely immaculate looking plane.

Cheers

Japan and Saudi are two - there are at least five more.

As to the West Wing thing - you can Google the answer for at least one of them.

Cheers,

Chris.

chris hall wrote:

OK, next question: On the opening credits for the TV programme The West Wing, there is a brief shot of a US combat aircraft taking off. In the earlier series, it was a USAF machine, in the later, a USN/ USMC one. Neither were in service at the time. Name (both of) those planes! And no, VC-25A isn't one of the answers. There is an image of Air Force One in the opening sequences, but she's not taking off, and she isn't a combat aircraft. Nor is Marine One. Plus, of course, the VC-25A is still in service. Bonus question - name all the countries, apart from the USA, which use a specific B747, as opposed to one hired for the occasion, as transport for their head of state and/ or government.  Cheers, Chris.

Japan does, I've seen theirs, and I believe the Saudi's operate a very large and very richly furnished 747. Wonder where they got the money for that?

chris hall wrote:

Didn't FROG do a Victor in 1/96?

FROG didn't just do the Victor, Chris. I have all three 1:96 V-bombers to prove it. They might be worth something someday, unless Revell or someone else re-pops them.

Well done Chris!! You would ask a question on a show I never watch. lol

Cheers