This one has got me stumped! Every time I look at it, it screams ‘Messerschmitt’ at me!!
A wild and as yet unresearched guess.
SAAB 16.
Effectively, iIrc, a Lisenced copy of a design labeled as “Simoun” and produced by what was later to become known as SNASCO though the design originated as Nieuport.
As I say, this is from recall, at which I readily admit I may be found inaccurate in this case.
I have not chanced upon the image shown since I was about 6 years old. Nor have I kept up with the obscure design minutiae as I perhaps should have.
Respectful Regards gentlemen, Uyraell.
@Uyraell I’m sorry to have to say it, but this design has nothing to do with either the Saab 16 or the Caudron Simoun and in fact predates both.
I am amazed this one was so hard, considering the publicity this aircraft had in it’s prime, when it won a few international touring competitions. It’s true that it used a lot of different powerplants so there are probably no two aircraft of this type exactly alike, but the general shape is basically the same for all.
@Ealdwita Maybe you should trust those instincts…
With your hint to Ealdwita, I’m now thinking Bf 108, with perhaps a Samson or Weiss radial motor?
I know many Bf 108s received different powerplants, and I know the aircraft won a few mid-thirties competitions.
For the life of me though, I am having difficulty in recalling the radial engined variants in the Bf108 family. Odd in a way, since I have seen a Bf108 up close, though that was powered by an Argus inline.
Warm, Kind, and Respectful Regards Wingsofwrath, Uyraell.
I have nothing constructive to add, I’m afraid. I also have seen ‘in-line’ 108’s during the filming of the ‘Battle of Britain’ many years ago.
OK, How about a Messerschmitt M 37/Bf 108A with a Siemens Sh14A radial? Conclusion reached purely from text - no photo available.
My dear Mr. Ealdwita, I’m afraid you are still too far forward in time. Even though you have the right manufacturer, the model in question is somewhat older… The engine, by the way, is a 80hp Siemens-Halske Sh 13.
Later edit: I managed to find a few images of the lone Bf 108c1 with the Siemens-Halske Sh14 you mentioned (source is here):
Final attempt then - M series with enclosed cockpit - M23c?
Spot on!
The mystery aircraft is indeed the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke M23c. This type -albeit equipped with an inline Argus As 8 engine instead of the pictured Sh13- was the winner of the prestigious “Europa-Rundflug 1930”, one of four major interwar Pan-European aviation challenges. Total production was only eleven machines.
Here you can find more pictures of this aeroplane: http://www.histaviation.com/Messerschmitt_M_23_Photos.html
Ealdwita, you have the relay!
Hi Wingsofwrath
thanks for the educational tour over the Messerschmitt M23 and for the attached link…we are now all looking forward to Ealdwita’s proposal…
Carson1934
Shall we spread our wings a little further afield, so to speak?
Mr. Ealdwita, may I congratulate you on posting this excellent photo of the Aichi E16A Zuiun? If I remember correctly, this particular “Paul” (as the Allies called the type) used to belong to 634th. Kokutai before falling into the hands of American troops. I believe one can discern the US insignia painted on the fuselage while the rising sun still adorns the lower wing…
@Carson 1934: I am happy you found my little foray into the history of this little touring aircraft from the early 30s at least a bit instructive. I do tend to ramble on occasions about such subjects to the point that most would consider me an awful bore…
Also, since I am quite sure of the correctness of my answer, I hope I will be forgiven if I go ahead and post the next instalment, since I am not at all sure of my shedule and I wouldn’t want to keep the board stagnant for too long…
To that aim, here is a nice picture of a rather odd bird:
If I’m not mistaken you show us a nice pic of the Heinkel He119V5 (floatplane version of He119V2)…thanks for confirming
Cheers
Carson1934
It looks like I’m going to have to start digging even deeper to outwit you pair of old foxes!
Congratulations on a speedy answer, Mr Carson!
That is indeed the He 119. Unfortunately, there is some discussion as to the exact number of this prototype, with a number of sources claiming it as “V3”, while others as “V5”. My own impression is that the first three were, respectively, unarmed reconnaissance (V1), bomber (V2), and float plane (V3), with the latter examples being A-series prototypes for the land-based reconnaissance (V5 and V6) and bomber versions (V7 & V8).
I look forward to your next enigma.
@Ealdwita - please do! I’m always game for a good riddle, and with 75 pages on this thread and going, we’re running dangerously low on outlandish and obscure designs…
By the way, calling me an “old fox” is a bit of an undeserved praise - I am only 27 so I still have a lot of hen houses to raid before I attain that status…
Will do Wingsofwrath just wait till tomorrow as I’m tied up till then…and don’t worry Ealdwita there are still thousands of aircrafts to source from and still many forum pages to fill in…
Cheers old chaps
Carson1934
Gentlemen
having at my disposal a few minutes I’m taking advantage of it and despatching following pic of a famous fighter of the early thirties which due to her unmistakable silhouette shouldn’t be hard to ID…
Cheers
Carson1934
Oh!
Czechoslovakian fighter Letov S.231. Thank you for providing us with a good quality copy of this photograph - the one that I had was scanned out of a book and full of printing dots.
Since it’s my turn again, please allow me to introduce a rather unusual bird which I’m sure will be quite easy to guess owing to her striking appearance:
Since I’m confident I’m correct in the identity of the shown aircraft, I offer a rarity only seen completed externally within the last decade or so.
Quite simply: one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed and built.
Nearly the same age as the Payen PA22 above. The actual airframe can be found now, restored.
Kind and Respectful Regards gentlemen, Uyraell.