Correct, Jean-Luc!

Available from Huma in 1/72, no less!



Over to you!

:-)

Ooops... sorry for the delay! I didn't noticed Polabear answered already! I must have the Grumpyoldman syndrome! :-)

My question is: what Italian WW2 fighter was fitted with an arresting hook and tested for the aircraft carrier they planned to build?

Jean-Luc

Jean-Luc,

Why, I believe that you're thinking of the Reggiane Re 2001. In addition to the hook, there were plans to construct a folding wing-version of the Re 2001, see http://www.regiamarina.net/arsenals/ships_it/carrier_us.htm

Good to know that the Regianne Re 2001 exists in 1/48 from Classic Airframes.

Hi all!

Sorry for the delay but I'm having connection problems with my ADSL modem and I'm currently using the internal 56k modem: Jeeee!!!! Is that slow!!!! I don't know how the guys with 56k can stand this! Now I know why some spend their entire day on Armorama...

Polarbear, I was thinking of the FIAT G.50! But since the Reggiane 2001 was also tested, your answer is good for me... it's your turn again!

Jean-Luc

P.S. the FIAT G50 is available in 1/48 by Flying Machines and Pacific Coast Models... and I have none of them! Doh!

Little time to write!!! Got to build the Grumman G-21 Goose!!!!

Speaking of the Goose - During WWII, the Americans used quite a few aircraft named after birds.

a) Please name at least five more!

b) Bonus points if you'll name three "insects" flown by the Yankees during WWII.

Cheers!!!

Hmmmm Alex, what were the,

Grumman Widgeon,
Grumman J2F Duck,
Fisher P-75 Eagle,
Curtiss P-40 Hawk series (Warhawk),
and Curtiss Seagull?

As for insects . . . what were the
Piper Grasshopper,
deHavilland Mosquito PR variants,
and Sikorsky Hoverfly?

And I did this sitting at work without reference book one at hand LOL!!


Mike Still

Great answer, Mike!!!

In addition to the birds that you've mentionned, there was also the Curtis SNF Falcon, the Vought OS2U Kingfisher, the Curtis SO3C Seamew (I think that's a bird...), the Curtiss O-52 Owl and probably a couple more! The P-40 Hawk-series was preceeded by the original P-36 Hawk.

With regard to the insects, there was also the Sikorsky Dragonfly...

Correct and plenty of bonus points! Your turn!!!!

Ps. Who's Alex?


A seamew?

Sorry I'm late. Work is a truly nasty interference in things of real importance LOL.
Polar, Alex Trebek is the host of Jeopardy #:-)

I'll take big preflight mistakes for $500 Alex - It's the specific item that you did not leave down on commencing takeoff in a P-38 Lightning due to severe aerodynamic issues.

Hi Alex... Mike!

Wasn't it taking off while having the side cockpit windows open?

Jean-Luc

Hi Mike,

I'll take a guess at the boarding ladder at the rear of the main wing?

Sehr gut Jean Luc!

Leaving the side canopy panels open during takeoff caused some nasty turbulence and lift-dumping that could extend one's takeoff run by a significant distance.

But an honorable mention to Martin, since leaving one's boarding ladder down could make for some interesting commentary from one's fellow Lightning jockeys about having three tails LOL.!

Go get em Jean Luc :-)

Danke Mike!

Here is the next:

Wich WW2 biplane flew long enough to receive a NATO codename? And what was that codename?

Jean-Luc

The Polikarpov Po-2 "Mule"

David

Hi David!

That's correct! I just read the information on another modeling site. The kit reviewed was Eduard's 1/48 U-2 VVS kit... It's the latest kit I bought and it's a great one!
The plane was used from 1928 to 1952 (!?) and production was more than 20 000 planes (!?) Amazing! If this is not an important plane in aircraft history...

Your turn David...

Jean-Luc

Which Grumman cat flew combat missions with US forces in Vietnam?

David

Hi David

I think the South Vietnamese were still flying Bearcats... did they suport US forces?

All the best

Rowan

Probably not the "CAT" you are thinking of but :
"The Tomcat was in service just in time to see the closing stages of the Vietnam war in 1975. It flew top cover during operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of US personnel from Saigon in April of 1975, just before that city fell to the north. The North Vietnamese Air Force did not interfere with the operation, but one Tomcat was slightly damaged by anti-aircraft fire."

Hi Rowan

I believe that the Bearcat was withdrawn from service or being phased out, when the first American advisors arrived in country.
The cat I am thinking of was operated by US forces.

David

Hi Chuck

You're right I forgot about the Tomcats. You can have the next question. The cat I was thinking of was the TF-9J Cougar, which was used by the marines as an FAC and local reconnaissance.
Here is a picture of the RVHP conversion kit I intend to get around to building someday.


Next time I'll try and think my question through more

Thanks David, just happened to catch that while watching the History channel in Las Vegas.

Here's a "silly" 2 part question I also picked up on while watching too:

Why is the F-117 designated with an "F" when it is an attack aircraft ?

Why is the "NightHawk" F-117, painted Black ?

I found both reasons quite amusing :-)

The F117 was designated a fighter because the better pilots would only fly fighters and not bombers.

As for why its black I’m going to guess its for low visibility at night.

Close enough Jacob.

Politics for the "F" designation, they wanted to use the "best fighter pilots" to prove out the plane and "fighter pilots don't fly attack aircraft."

On the "Black paint" yes it flies at night. In a meeting discussing the color scheme at the Pentagon, they were trying to deside how to paint it, when the Secy of Defense chimes in with, "it's going to fly at night right ?, so paint it black"

Next question is all your's

Hi Chuck,

I've read a couple of reasons why the F-117 has an F desgnation. One is that the Airforce was more likely to get funding to develop a fighter than a bomber so they gave it an F number.
Another is that it was for security purposes, to disguise its true purpose.
A third reason I've heard is that pilots would be more inclined to want to fly an F designated aircraft as it has more "pose value" flying fighters than bombers.

The black colour- is it to make the thing appear more intimidating?

Hi Martin,

I've heard those reasons for the "F" designation too. The one they gave on the History channel re: wanting fighter pilots, I found amusing.

The "Black color" comment was amusing too. More intimidating ? You aren't supposed to see it.
:-) I like the camo they had on "Have Blue" myself.

Ofcourse you are just as right as Jacob, so you two toss a coin

By the way I've heard pilots say "if it weren't for the sensor tubes on the front end, the thing wouldn't know which end to put into the wind" :-)

Wow I actually got it right.

Now lets see what to ask.
This is probably going to be an easy one for you guys but what was the last American aircraft carrier-based fighter with guns as the primary weapon?