Aircraft Trivia Quiz

I'm not having much come to mind that's as early as that. I don't think the swordfish's participation can be called minor (read Charles Lamb's "War in a Stringbag" I had no idea) I'm going to go with the Hawker Audax, best shot I can give it.

I would guess Gloster Gladiator.

 Bill

wdolson2 wrote:

I would guess Gloster Gladiator.  Bill

The Audax first flew in December, 1931, and the Gladiator in September 1934. 

This airplane gained a certain amount of fame when it was looped at an air display, a maneuver not usually associated with an aircraft of its type.

Jaypack55 wrote:

Okay, is it the D.H. 42? (which isapretty cool/weird looking airplane, by the way.)

You are getting a little warm with this one, but I think you have a typo, as I am not aware of a DH 42.  Not quite there yet with the numerics either.  To my eye, this one is even cooler than the aircraft I think you mean.

OH, DUH! it was the HP 42, not DH. I'm not sure if that's it, but that's my guess.

Well, a quick google searchjust turned up the H.P. 45 and Heyford as well

Jaypack55 wrote:

Well, a quick google searchjust turned up the H.P. 45 and Heyford as well

I think you are close enough.  It is the Heyford.  I will post a picture of it tomorrow evening.

You get the honor of the next question, Jaypack.

Yeah, you're right- the Heyford is cooler than the HP 42. OK, here's my question:

Who was the (very) well-known American WWII pilot who first flew a tour in Europe, then after a break, went to serve in the Pacific flying another aircraft type built by the same manufacturer as his previous aircraft. *Note* His first a/c is now preserved and in the process of being restored.

And, for a hundred brownie points, what were the names of both of his aircraft?

Well, where is everybody?  Are you all afraid if you get the answer you'll have to ask the next question?  Jaypack came up with a good'un!

As promised here are some Heyford pictures.

Jaypack55 wrote:

Yeah, you're right- the Heyford is cooler than the HP 42. OK, here's my question: Who was the (very) well-known American WWII pilot who first flew a tour in Europe, then after a break, went to serve in the Pacific flying another aircraft type built by the same manufacturer as his previous aircraft. *Note* His first a/c is now preserved and in the process of being restored. And, for a hundred brownie points, what were the names of both of his aircraft?

I admit up front to googling this.  Paul Tibbets flew B-17s in Europe and the MTO, apparently both in the 8th and 12th AF.  He was XO of the 97th BG.  Then became famous flying Enola Gay.

 The clue that let me to the productive search was  that he flew planes by the same manufacturer.  I initially thought of fighters, but there were none that fit the description, then the Boeing connection hit me.

The link I found: http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_tibbets.html   It looks like some of the information on bomb tonnage was translated from pounds in to Kg then back to pounds at some point because it describes the first mission carrying 1100 and 600 pound bombs.  Someone must have converted 1000 lbs and 500 lbs into 500 Kg and 250 Kg, then back into English units and rounded them up.

 Good question.

wdolson2 wrote:

Paul Tibbets flew B-17s in Europe and the MTO, apparently both in the 8th and 12th AF.

What does MTO mean?

Chris 

wdolson2 wrote:

He was XO of the 97th BG.

What does XO mean?

Chris 

davros wrote:

I would guess that MTO was Mediterranean Theatre (or Theater for Americans) of Operations and XO is Executive Officer; the guy in command.

Thanks for clarifying.  Though the Executive Officer is the 2nd in command.  The CO or Commanding Officer is in command.  Many XOs ended up in command, especially in fighter units where attrition among commanders was high.

Tibbets being pulled off combat with the 8th AF probably saved his life.  He was in early enough that his chances of surviving 25 missions was very small.  That article said he was flying B-26s in North Africa developing good bombing doctrine for them. 

I know the US experimented a lot with the B-26 when it first arrived in the theater.  At low altitude, the flak was too intense and at high altitude, they hd poor accuracy.  They found a sweet spot around 10-12,000 feet where accuracy as still good, and flak wasn't too bad.

Bill 

davros wrote:

I would guess that MTO was Mediterranean Theatre (or Theater for Americans) of Operations and XO is Executive Officer; the guy in command.

Thank you  David. I wrote those down and I feel a tiny bit smarter!

Chris 

Well, Tibbets wasn't exactly the person I was looking for. (Note the part about his first aircraft being preserved, not his second). However, your answer does fit all the other criteria, so if no one else posts the correct answer within a day or two, I'll say "close enough", and let you have the next one.

A long life spent with his family- I believe he passed away in the last year or so of "age related illnesses".

I was lucky enough to see him every year until the last 2 at the yearly "WWII" weekend in Reading PA- very very nice guy- more than happy to chat with you about his war years.

Keith

hudskit wrote:

A long life spent with his family- I believe he passed away in the last year or so of "age related illnesses". I was lucky enough to see him every year until the last 2 at the yearly "WWII" weekend in Reading PA- very very nice guy- more than happy to chat with you about his war years. Keith

That must have been great, having the chance to talk to such a man.  I have been lucky enough to meet a few in situations that allowed genuine conversations, but without a doubt Alex Vraciu is the most impressive and memorable of those.  As for the question at hand, the story of Morgan's death is more than just old age.  There is some irony to the story.

he got hospitallized in April 22, 2004 (1 day and 12 years after my b-day!) when he fractured his neck BY FALLING FROM A LADDER TO THE B-17 of which the markings were a copy from his Memphis Belle.

he died like May 15 that year due to the compilation of many injuries and pneumonia

I truly did not know- At the 05 airshow that was the story given at the time...The saddest part was the genuine bond between him and his wife as they worked the show- what tremendous consequences for such a slight accident.

This , while not as truly sad as Marion Carl's death, demonstrates how few of these heros are still with us today.

Truly bummed, Keith

Late to action again... regarding helicopters turning 50... The Sikorsky S-55, Bell H-47..both saw action in korea and are still in civil service though numbers are dwindling. Followed by the Bell 204 (company designation) first flight in Oct 1956.  The engine for which (T-53 series)  was designed by the same man who designed the engine for the Me 262. He came over to the U.S. as part of Project Paperclip, and went to Lycoming.

Regards,

Chuck

Well done, jinithith2!  So it is your turn to ask a question.

Yes, Keith, it was a bittersweet ending for a great fellow.  My reason for asking the question was to let those who read the thread know of Morgan's passing.  I was really struck by the irony of it, that he would die of injuries falling from an airplane he had bested so many dangers in, and that he had to have a great affection for. 

yay! I got it!

I really can't think of a good one... I'll get back to ya guys ASAP