flyvulcan

Pic 1 is an IAR-80; pic 2 is an IL-10 (The sign next to it had IL-20 but that is not correct): pic 3 had a sign "Yak 3" next to it but comparing to other Yak 3 pics, that doesn't appear to be it so...?

I managed to get to the China Aviation Museum today in Beijing. I was hoping to get some photos of their La9 but the one display building that was closed was the one "Special Aircraft Display". When I peeked through the window, I could see around 10 aircraft with the first being a Spitfire and I think it was the La9 a little further along. Bummer...

Anyway, here are a few more to identify from today's visit (the nose of the first looks familiar but those engines?... and Warbirds over Wanaka goers will probably recognise the second). The second is in an underground hangar/tunnel which is built under a small hill and houses around 100 aircraft. Each end of the tunnel ran out on to a taxiway that went to the runway. Pretty cool!

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OK, to help a little,

The first one is a Romanian homegrown design that was used during the defence of the Ploesti oil refineries against the B24 raiders, the second is a later derivative of a common Russian light bomber (add a zero to the WW2 aircraft designation and you get this one) and the third is a marque of that hairy beast from the cold climates.

Cheers,

Dave

Hi again Ron,

I don't joke about these things as I intend to use 2 of his H150s on my project (subject to observation and inspection of them running)!

I am guessing that 2 of his 90# thrust engines would probably give the Stratos a reasonable rate of climb and a decent top speed. With an installed weight including engines, mounts, ecu etc, could you be looking at a potential 120+ knot 95:10 aircraft? If you could squeeze in 80+ litres of fuel, you could stay up long enough to have some jet fun... With the weak US dollar, you are likely to be able to pick the engines up for around $5000 each at the moment.

A quick change prop to jet arrangement as you suggest might well be attractive to some (or simply the jet option by itself).

Cheers,

Dave

Yes, the OFMC La-9 was a beautifully restored aircraft. I believe that the La-9 was the pinnacle of Soviet piston engined fighters.

And a few more from the museum...

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PS The first one is easy, it's written on it...

Well done Stan. A La-9 at the Romanian Air Force Museum at the entrance to Bucharest Otopeni Airport. I was lucky enough to befriend the Commandant of the museum so I got to crawl through everything they had there. Very interesting!

Now for an interesting warbird... Prop still turns smoothly against the compression, all instruments in place, machine guns as well! Not bad for sitting outside for a loooong time. (Its now finally inside.)

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Hi Ron,

I am one of many who would like to see your project succeed. I would like to plant another seed for thought. You will find it at http://www.jetbeetle.com/. Small, light, compact, noisy... and yes, it would burn a lot of fuel, but hey, it would be the coolest aircraft around!

Cheers,

Dave

What is the project in the second photo with the round cowl?

Australian kits

Peter Carr down in Geelong is knocking up kits for this aircraft. He is doing me a tailplane kit at the moment. The set of ribs that he knocked out for Dick Eaves was well received by Dick. Peter has a great deal of experience in fabricating metal aircraft. The kits that he will finally provide will probably be of good quality.

It is unlikely to have an RVs "ease" of construction, but it is likely to turn out cheaper, but still with good performance.

Cheers.

A Vickers Vimy made it all the way from the UK down to Adelaide Airport where it is sitting in a display..., courtesy of Ross and Keith Smith.

If you want beautiful with 180kias easy, look at the following link. Lightning_Bug : Lightning Bug Experimental Aircraft

Unfortunately, even with its slotted fowler flaps, stall is still (supposed to be) around 55kias. That's what 40 square feet of wing does for you.

The first one should be flying in Oz some time later this year, the second a little after (we can only build so fast...) Due to the stall speed and retractable nosegear, it will be experimental.

Still, a nice bird!