It's Time To Play,"What's My Plane" !

[RAF_Louvert 101]

uncleal, it was not uncommon to see both sights used on the same plane as it is noted in writings of the time that most pilots preferred the open ring sight over the Aldis in a dog fight. As to the identification of the plane in each photo, I have those answers already and am announcing when a contestant is correct or not as we go. The additional information can and will be more broad ranging, but as long as the contestant can show where they found that information, (should there be any debate as to its accuracy), that will suffice. Remember, this is suppose to be fun, and enlightening.

 

Olham, thanks for the heads-up. I saw that posting too, and I assume we will simply work around any off-line delays that might occur during the forum upgrades.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[RAF_Louvert 101]

Time for the second set of photos folks. Please follow the rules as outlined in the initial posting found here: "What's My Plane" Game Outline

 

Also, as this is a new group of photos, the 36-hour wait period starts over fresh for ALL contestants, so anyone may choose a photo to identify and provide information on. Please note the photo number when identifying the aircraft and state a primary feature shown in the photo and the plane it belongs to, so for example in photo #4 in the first group JohnGresham could have said, "I think number 4 is the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel".

 

 

On to the second round we go. Here is your next group. Good luck everyone. Let's play What's My Plane!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[Rickitycrate 10]

Photo #2. Halberstadt D-II possibly the one flown by Boelcke D-II D.605/16. The Halberstadter Flugzeugwerke was originally a branch of the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company of Bristol, known as the Deutsche Bristol-Werke, Halberstadt. Early in 1916 the design of the D-I was enhanced and went into production as the D-II. It was powered by a 120 h.p. Mercedes with starboard side exhaust discharge.The feature in the photo is the balanced elevator that was hinged about it's spar.; two steel tubes supported the weak-looking balanced rudder. Steel tubing was also used for the plain vee undercarriage. The craft was first used for escorting reconnaissance. McCudden wrote of the Halberstadt"I have never in my experience seen a machine, under control, dive so deeplyand so long."

Edited August 21, 2009 by Rickitycrate

[themightysrc 5]

Hi,

 

At work and busy (though not too busy to browse here briefly!). First one's a Sopwith Triplane, second's a Halb DII (as noted) whilst number 4 is undoubtedly an SE5a. Don't know about number 3 but I think the gunner is Sergeant Ted Thrasher, RFC born Doncaster 1888.

[Dej 17]

Yep, #5 is a single Vickers Sopwith Triplane cockpit showing the typical Sopwith spade grip control column, and I think the rev counter and altimeter and compass. The padding on the breech was there to protect the pilot's head in the event of a crash landing. This particular photo in it's original form included the Rotherham pump on the starboard interplane strut just out of shot in the image Lou's used. The Rotherham pump was used to supply more evenly pressurised fuel to the engine improving performance during aerobatic manoeuvers and was fitted to most Tripes but significantly not the N500 and N504 prototypes nor the later twin Vickers variants.

[Duce Lewis 3]

Photo #8 is the cockpit of an Se5, a plan noted for it high speed and ruggedness

The plane featured a cowl mounted Lewis gun and a Drum fed Lewis Gun on the upper wing.

Two gunsights are shown, the simple Ring Sight and the tubular Aldis Sight. The Se5 was introduced in 1917 and was quite successful, flown by many of Britin's leading Aces

[Olham 164]

Okay, I give it an uncertain try.

No. 7 looks like a Hannover observer cockpit to me, I think a Hannover CL III.

The gun stand with its single column and the arrest handle would fit this craft.

What makes me unsure is the round magazine on the gun; I didn't see this on any of the pics

of the Hannover I found. The rear gun on a Hannover was a Parabellum, but I'm unsure, if

they also had versions with round magazines.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

OK, first of all themightysrc, welcome to the game, however I must ask again that folks read and follow what few rules there are posted for this contest. While you were correct about the three planes you identified Sir, you are only allowed to choose ONE photo that has not already been ID'd and give your answer for that photo, at which time you may also elaborate in the same post on the plane and/or features shown in the photo you identified. After this you MUST wait 36 hours before posting another answer on any photo that might still remain in the group that has not been ID'd or elaborated upon. This rule holds true whether your answer is right or wrong. Now, once a new group has been posted you are free to start again as the 36 hours only applies to multiple guesses within the same group of photos. So unfortunately Sir, I will not be able to award you any points for your guesses this time. But there are still ten sets of photos to go so you will have many more opportunities. Please do try again.

 

Rickitycrate, another very good answer Sir, lots of extra info. And I am betting you meant photo #6. Two more points for you.

 

Dej, welcome to the contest, and a top-notch answer from you as well Sir. You have earned your first two points.

 

Duce Lewis, welcome to you too Sir. Good answer, but a couple of sentences worth of additional info about the plane and/or features in the photo would be great. I am none-the-less going to award you two points as your ID and info on the plane is spot-on.

 

Olham, good eye Sir on photo #7, (which by the way is not Sergeant Ted Thrasher of the RFC, although that was a heck of a guess, SRC). It is definitely a Hannover CL series, reportedly a CLII, but I will accept either a CLII or a CLIII as it is about impossible to tell which from this photo. As to the gun arrangement, it looks to be twin Parabellums on a standard post mount, (that handle is definitely a give-away), but the ammo drums are different than those I have seen in other photos of the Parabellum. I am hoping someone has run across this configuration before and can enlighten us all. I am awarding you two more points Olham. Also, it would be nice if both you and Duce Lewis each post a bit more info on the planes you each correctly identified and elaborated on.

 

BTW, if anyone CAN post further documented info, pics, and links to that gun arrangement on the Hannover CL, I will award you a bonus point for it.

 

 

Here are the current standings:

 

Olham, 4 points

Rickitycrate, 3 points

Bullethead, 2 points

Dej, 2 points

Duce Lewis, 2 points

JohnGresham, 1 point

Luftace, 1 point

Shrikehawk, 1 point

 

Way to go Gents!

 

 

Next set of photos will be posted at 9:00pm GMT this evening. Study up everyone, and give the contest rules a look-though once more before then. Have fun!

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

Edited August 21, 2009 by RAF_Louvert

[Olham 164]

Just to be absolutely sure: if all photos are identified, your points tally is posted,

and you show the next group of photos - ALL can take part again, right?

[RAF_Louvert 101]

That is correct Olham. The 36-hour wait period only applies to posts made concerning the same photo set. While this has not been a concern on the first two sets as they have been relatively easy to identify, as the contest progresses some of the pictures will become more challenging to try and ID, at which point the 36 hours may actually pass and allow the same contestant to post more than one answer for the same photo set.

 

Thanks for asking for clarification on that Olham.

 

I should also mention that there will be "Wild Card" photos which I will post from time-to-time that anyone can try and identify and elaborate upon, and they will be worth bonus points.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[themightysrc 5]

Lou,

 

Oops, sorry, that'll teach me to skim read the rules!

 

<slaps own wrist>

[RAF_Louvert 101]

Not to worry SRC, I've been known to make mistakes myself, and not read the instructions. Just ask my lovely wife.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

In a little over one hour, at 3:00pm Greenwich Mean Time, I will be posting the first Wild Card photo. Be prepared. The first with the correct answer will be awarded 2 points.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[JohnGresham 0]

Damn! Wish I'd seen this earlier. Don't think anyone'es mentioned that the SE5a upper wing Lewis is on a foster mounting, which allowed the gun to be slung back for reloading, or be fixed in an upward firing psotion. McCudden often used this feature when tackling two seaters.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

Very correct about the gun and mount on that SE5, JohnGresham. Thanks for sharing Sir, you never know when such information might come in useful.

 

Also, since you mentioned it, McCudden may well have been the first to use the sliding feature of the Foster mount to attack the B/R's from below. If he was not the first to make use of it he was at least the first to write about it in his notes, or so I've surmised from what I've read.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[RAF_Louvert 101]

DING DING DING !!! WILD CARD PHOTO !

The first to correctly identify the gun, gun mount system, and the aircraft it is fitted to will be awarded 2 bonus points. You must be spot on with all three to win.

 

 

 

 

Good Luck.

[Rickitycrate 10]

Avro 504K night fighter with Lewis on Foster-mounting.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

Holy Schnikee! That was lightening fast Rickitycrate, and exactly correct, right down to the 'K'. Outstanding Sir. I thought the Avro might throw folks off a bit, but not you apparenetly. The two bonus points are yours, as are the bragging rights.

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[Rickitycrate 10]

Thankee mate, right place, right time, I quess.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

Here are the latest standings after the Wild Card photo:

 

Rickitycrate, 5 points

Olham, 4 points

Bullethead, 2 points

Dej, 2 points

Duce Lewis, 2 points

JohnGresham, 1 point

Luftace, 1 point

Shrikehawk, 1 point

 

 

Remember, 9:00pm GMT this evening the third photo set will be posted, (assuming the forums are still up at that time, what with the updates coming along).

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[RAF_Louvert 101]

The third set of photos is set to go, so put on those WW1 historian caps and get ready. I will mention again to those who are not yet familiar with them to please read through the rules in the initial posting found here: "What's My Plane" Game Outline

 

And remember what it is you are competing for. This very nice reproduction of Prussia's most coveted order, the Blue Max.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is your next group.

 

 

 

 

Good luck everyone. Let's play What's My Plane!

 

Cheers!

 

Lou

[Olham 164]

No. 10 is a Sopwith Dolphin with an Aldiss gunsight.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

Very good Olham, one point for you Sir. But you must now wait your 36 hours before going again. BTW, that ties you up with Rickitycrate.

[Dej 17]

#11 shows the observer's position on the Shuttleworth Collection's Bristol Fighter F.2B. Here showing only one Lewis gun mounted, twin Lewis were also an option.

[rhythalion 0]

N9 is a Fokker E.IV, powered by a 160 hp Oberursel U.III two-row, 14-cylinder rotary engine. This engine allowed the aircraft to be equipped with up to 3 Spandau Machine guns, but even still it affected performance adversly and not many pilots kept this armament.

 

Interestingly, the guns were originally fitted at a 15 degree upward angle, but this was not kept either.