Name This Plane...from the inside

[Mike K.]

Alright I can't take it anymore!
How 'bout a little clue?

 

[KilroyCD]

Okay, here's a clue...

It is American made, from the 1930s and although it's a combat plane it's not a fighter.

 

[Smithy]

OK doesn't look like anybody else is going to get it and I can't resist. It was a difficult one this, it's a Northrop Nomad, The SAAF used them as trainers.

 

[dhermann1]

Oh, yeah! Aren't there a lot of those in that great Errol Flynn flick "Dive Bomber"? I always wondered what they were.

 

[Smithy]

Sorry dhermann, couldn't say as I haven't seen "Dive Bomber"

Is it any good? Only Flynn aviation flick I've seen was "Dawn Patrol".

 

[Smithy]

Here's one...

 

[Diamondback]

PBY?

BTW, most of the birds in Dive Bomber were SB2U Vindicators--I correspond a bit with one of the restoration guys at NMNA in Pensacola, and that's his verdict.

 

[Smithy]

PBY?

Nope DB, have another crack!

 

[Diamondback]

Okay, I will:

That looks kinda like LaGuardia for some reason--it's clearly water out front--maybe one of the earlier Martin or Sikorsky boats Pan Am used? Doesn't look quite right for a Do.X, and I know it's not a Boeing 314--windshield is way too flat, the 314's panes created a "wraparound" effect.

 

[Smithy]

OK, DB, it's definitely NOT a Boeing

 

[Diamondback]

Martin M-130, then? Those were pretty angular upfront IIRC...

 

[Smithy]

No DB, do you want a hint mate?

 

[Diamondback]

Am I at least right about it being a seaplane or flying-boat?

 

[Smithy]

Sorry DB, neither flying boat nor seaplane...

 

[Diamondback]

Windshield looks kinda like a Ford Trimotor, except there's obviously an overhead glass section and Fords didn't have that, plus no prop or visible engine in front... Am I on the right continent of origin, at least? Or do I need to start thinking "east side of The Pond"?

 

[Smithy]

Well I will say it's not American, you'll have to look west or east from where you are

 

[Fletch]

4-engine landbased non-American prop plane...gotta be either a bomber or a transport of some kind. I'll guess transport.
We can rule out the Junkers Ju 90 because the canopy ribbing is not right, even tho there are overhead glass panels.

 

[Smithy]

Not a Junkers Fletch, have another go...

But is it German????

 

[Fletch]

Aha! Focke-Wulf 200!

(Pic of canopy, from a scale model)

 

[Diamondback]

Does look kinda like a Kondor, Fletch...

*involuntary cringe from remembering what those $%%$!$$% things do to my convoys in A&A Naval Miniatures scenarios, even with Wildcat cover*