The What is it? Game

[GrauGeist]

K5054 ?

Good guess, but it's not the Type 300 prototype.

However, this aircraft was in development about the same time as Vicker's project and first flew almost a year later (1937)

It is a single engine, low-wing monoplane

 

[Capt. Vick]

Is it a Fairey product?

 

[GrauGeist]

Is it a Fairey product?

No, it is not.

This aircraft never entered military service and was powered by a license-built BMW V-12 (water cooled) engine.

 

[wuzak]

Polikarpov I-17 - Wikipedia ?

 

[GrauGeist]

Polikarpov I-17 - Wikipedia ?

Good guess, but it's not an I-17 and it's not Russian.

To recap the clues: it's a single engine, low-wing monoplane. It has a license built BMW water-cooled V-12 engine. It was designed and built in the 1930's and it's first flight was in 1937. It was not a warplane (bomber, fighter, etc.).

It had retractable conventional undercarriage (tail-dragger) and was a single-seater.

And I just realized that I stumped GeeDee for perhaps the first time ever in this game...a red letter day in WW2Aircraft's history!!

 

[wuzak]

And Google isn't helping....

 

[GrauGeist]

I bet that if I told you the aircraft's name, it'll pop up on google!

Ok...another hint, it was manufactured by a Gas and Electric company that had some previous experience with aircraft, not a major aircraft manufacturer...long story, but it was mainly due to politics.

 

[wuzak]

Is it Japanese?

 

[GrauGeist]

It is indeed a Japanese aircraft

 

[Geedee]

[QUOTE="And I just realized that I stumped GeeDee for perhaps the first time ever in this game...a red letter day in WW2Aircraft's history!! [/QUOTE]
Right...that's it....i'm off to check on Facebook for the answer now !

 

[GrauGeist]

[QUOTE="And I just realized that I stumped GeeDee for perhaps the first time ever in this game...a red letter day in WW2Aircraft's history!!

Right...that's it....i'm off to check on Facebook for the answer now ! [/QUOTE]

 

[Geedee]

Okeydokey....i've checked with Facebook and confirmed its the 'Koken'. Built by the Tokyo Gas and Electric Industry...aka 'Gasuden'... it was built to get the long range record...which it held for a number of years.

Its serial number was originally K5054...but somebody rubbed it off the fuselage before pictures could be taken and so Supermarine came along and nicked the idea....so there !

That was a good one and she looks a real slick ship !

 

[GrauGeist]

Ahh...well done, Gary!

Actually, I believe that Vicker's K5054 predates Gasuden's numbering, but you certainly nailed it down, my friend!

Here's the Koken being assembled at Gasuden's Omori facility, Tokyo, 1937

The Koken parked on a field during flight trials, I believe this was taken late summer, 1937

It's your turn!

 

[Geedee]

That's actually a pretty cool looking airplane !.

Have a go at this one...no, its not one of my pics

 

[Capt. Vick]

Douglas Mixmaster or Jetmaster?

 

[Geedee]

Nope....sorry dude...its a Spitfire ! (Heavily modified to look like an XB-43 so I'll let you have that one )

 

[Capt. Vick]

Damn...really thought I had one...

 

[Capt. Vick]

Try this....

 

[Graeme]

Initially went down the Potez and Hanroit paths - but now looking at Bloch - the 170?

 

[Capt. Vick]

It is in fact a Bloch MB 170, well done sir.