Since noone was able to guess all aircrafts, i'm going to release the aircrafts real identity now!
#1
Bell X-14
The Bell-constructed X-14 was an open-cockpit, all-metal VTOL monoplane powered by two turbojet engines equipped with thrust deflectors. It first flew in 1957, and was constructed using the wings, ailerons, and undercarriage of a Beech Bonanza and the tail surfaces of a Beech T-34 Mentor airplane. In 1959, the Viper engines were replaced by General Electric J85 engines and the aircraft was delivered to the NASA Ames Research Center as the X-14A where it was used as a test aircraft until early 1963.
#2
Curtiss-Goupil Duck
Glenn Curtiss built this machine in 1916 to help his defense of the Wright Brothers' patent lawsuit. It was designed in 1883 by Frenchman Alexander Goupil, Curtiss' example flew with a 100 Hp. Curtiss OXX powerplant The seaplane version in the picture was heavy and could barely hop, fitted with wheels it flew successfully in 1917. It did not contribute to a successful defense.
#3
Karman-Petroczy Captive Helicopter
This Austrian machine was built to be a substitute for Army observation balloons. Amazingly, the twenty foot co-axial rotors carried the craft to several hundred feet! There were no flight controls, it was winched up and down by cables. It crashed on its 15th flight. Note the jolly expression of the lucky guy in the basket.
#4
Heston A.2/45
Heston aircraft of Britain built this prototype Air Observation Post in the 1950's, with a single de Haviland Gipsy Queen 33 motor.
#5
Airspeed Fleet Shadower
This British 3-man recce aircraft was built to a 1937 specification, the first of two prototypes first flew September 1939. It's mission was to follow enemy surface fleets, especially by night. Visibility and crew comfort were it's main goals, maximum speed was 115 mph and it's duration was eleven hours. Of mixed-construction, four Pobjoy Niagra radials of 130 hp drove fixed pitch wooden props. None were ordered.
#6
Westland Lysander P.12
This modification of the Lysander army co-operation aircraft was either intended to repel a German invasion by strafing beaches and striking at surface vessels, or a trainer for RAF gunners. First flying in July of 1941, it was found to be very manoeverable but was never produced in quantity.
#7
Junkers Ju 287
This WW2 German flying nightmare was a low speed test rig for a 20 degree forward swept wing design. Designed in 1943, the prototype was lashed together from a wide variety of parts. The new wing was mated to the fuselage from a Heinekel He-177, the tail of a Junkers Ju 388K, and two nose wheels from a shot down American B-24 Liberator. The landing gear was fixed and spatted, four Junkers Jumo 004's were mounted as engines.
#8
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
Ordered 1942 as a parasite escort for the B-29, this freakish aircraft was only 14 feet 10 inches long, armament of four .5 in. Browning machine guns was planned. As development proceeded the carrier aircraft was changed to the massive Convair B-36. The XF-85 was designed to be tucked into the bomber's bomb bay, in effect each carrier aircaft would carry it's own fighter escort, up to four each. When enemy interceptors were sighted the Goblins were supposed to detach from the B-36's, drive off the attackers and then to hook back onto the carrier aircraft. On August 23rd, 1948 a brave pilot detached the prototype XF-85 from a B-29 test aircraft. Turbulent air beneath the B-29 made hooking back on a nerve-wracking and dangerous chore, several attempts were made. Near disaster struck as the Goblin suddenly pitched up, smashing the canopy on the hook and tearing the pilot's oxygen mask off. He stuffed the remnants of the oxygen hose into his mouth and made a 200 mph emergency landing on a retractable belly skid. The wheeled gear shown in the picture above was for handling it on the ground! This project was cancelled in 1949, but the prototype Goblin can still be seen today at the Strategic Air Command Museum.
#9
Blackburn F3
Built in 1934 as a night-fighter project, the F3 featured a stressed alloy frame, fabric wings and a steam cooled Rolls Royce Goshawk engine. The "stalk" below the cockpit housed the radiator. Prolonged taxi-ing trials cracked the fuselage and revealed a dangerously high center of gravity, the project was abandoned.
This was the final "Guess the aircraft"!
Atleast for now 
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:28 pm
