Nonplanar

[Eugene]

Time for something just a little different. I will post a picture of a mystery aircraft, and would like you to tell me what it is. This game will not end until I run out of aircraft. Given the number of bizarre and obscure flying machines out there, the game won't end anytime soon.



This light sport aircraft is a new clean slate design from a French firm. It's main claim to fame is the ability to take-off and land on land, sea, and snow.

 

[Jon Eckart]

That would be a LISA Akoya, correct?

 

[Eugene]

That would be a LISA Akoya, correct?

Right in one! While two prototypes of the Akoya have flown to date, the aircraft has not been certified by any civil aviation agency yet.



In case it wasn't immediately obvious from the profile, this prototype is a stealth technology demonstrator.

 

[Deric Storm]

The Boeing Bird of Prey, though they should have flipped the wings around to make it look like a Klingon Bird of Prey

 

[Eugene]

The Boeing Bird of Prey, though they should have flipped the wings around to make it look like a Klingon Bird of Prey

Bingo. The Boeing Bird of Prey is a stealth advanced technology demonstrator. I believe the prototype now resides in the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base museum.



This warbird saw extensive use in the Pacific theater of WWII

 

[Jon Eckart]

Consolidated PBY Catalina

It's bigger than it looks... crew of 10. Unusual design, also.

 

[Eugene]

Consolidated PBY Catalina

It's bigger than it looks... crew of 10. Unusual design, also.

That's it. The PBY Catalina was a multi role aircraft used for everything from anti-submarine to search and rescue. As a fun little aside, an aviation museum near me is actively restoring one to airworthy status.



Yet another technology demonstrator, in this case to show the promise of pure flying wing designs.

 

[Victorique]

Northrop's N-1M? [Squints at]

 

[Eugene]

Northrop's N-1M? [Squints at]

Close, but not quite. You've got the right manufacturer.

 

[Victorique]

Northrop N-9M

 

[Eugene]

Northrop N-9M

You've got it! The Northrop N-9M was built as a demonstrator to prove the aerodynamics of a flying wing for what would later become the YB-36 and much later the B-2. Sadly, the last remaining example of the N-9M crashed approximately 6 months ago, killing its pilot and sole occupant.

I have a slight snarl in my schedule, so the next aircraft will be posted this weekend.

 

[Chase]

I'm really appreciating the high quality photos you've found. Eye-candy.