Spotted over Farnborough
Discussion
Yeah, yeah. I'm no artist, but.
Does this......
Resemble anything to anyone.
About lunchtime yesterday, I was out loading the car with rubbish (clearing the garage out) when I heard the sound of a big aero engine. Looked up to see something vaguely like I've drawn above. It looked like it was heading broadly NNW, W of Farnborough's runway, toward Blackbushe. By the time I'd gone in and got my binos it had turned to Stbd and was heading roughly SSE to the E of Farnborough Airport. (I live near Jct 4a, M3).
The noticeable features were the engine sound, and long nose (almost FW190-esque) which prompted the quest for the binos, then as it headed away I saw, with the benefit of magnification, the 'hooped' cockpit frame, what appeared to be quite a long cockpit, and perhaps the best identifier was the way the U/C appeared to retract. Not sideways, but in-line, toward the leading edge of the wing, about 1/3 out from the fuselage.
I've searched the gloomy recesses of my mind, and discounted it being British, or WWII era. I'm thinking of Soviet/Russian/Eastern European, as the cross section at the front didn't look like it was hiding something big like a Wright or P&W radial engine, and the tone didn't sound like something that needed the power for combat manoeuvres. I did initially think 'Yak 52' but I thought that, being as they get used for racing, they were 'clean' under wing with U/C retracted?
When you've quit giggling at the drawing, any suggestions (that don't involve art classes) would be appreciated. I'll then try to google the prime suspects and come back with a confirmation. Thanks.
Does this......
Resemble anything to anyone.
About lunchtime yesterday, I was out loading the car with rubbish (clearing the garage out) when I heard the sound of a big aero engine. Looked up to see something vaguely like I've drawn above. It looked like it was heading broadly NNW, W of Farnborough's runway, toward Blackbushe. By the time I'd gone in and got my binos it had turned to Stbd and was heading roughly SSE to the E of Farnborough Airport. (I live near Jct 4a, M3).
The noticeable features were the engine sound, and long nose (almost FW190-esque) which prompted the quest for the binos, then as it headed away I saw, with the benefit of magnification, the 'hooped' cockpit frame, what appeared to be quite a long cockpit, and perhaps the best identifier was the way the U/C appeared to retract. Not sideways, but in-line, toward the leading edge of the wing, about 1/3 out from the fuselage.
I've searched the gloomy recesses of my mind, and discounted it being British, or WWII era. I'm thinking of Soviet/Russian/Eastern European, as the cross section at the front didn't look like it was hiding something big like a Wright or P&W radial engine, and the tone didn't sound like something that needed the power for combat manoeuvres. I did initially think 'Yak 52' but I thought that, being as they get used for racing, they were 'clean' under wing with U/C retracted?
When you've quit giggling at the drawing, any suggestions (that don't involve art classes) would be appreciated. I'll then try to google the prime suspects and come back with a confirmation. Thanks.
Thanks to Eric Mc and ecsrobin. I'm thinking it must be a Yak as well, now. Certainly not the Havard, I'd recognize the 'Buzz Saw' anywhere. Vertical tail surface shape is saying Yak 52 to me, but I'm still a little dubious about the U/C hinging forward. Then I google some images, and Loh! there it is........
Seems that there are two variants. Tricycle UC type has the main gear exposed and folding forward when retracted.
Tailwheel model is 'clean' when UC retracted.
Thanks chaps!
Comparison image, both types flying side-by side.....
ETA: this extra image - U/C down
Mystery solved, methinks.
Seems that there are two variants. Tricycle UC type has the main gear exposed and folding forward when retracted.
Tailwheel model is 'clean' when UC retracted.
Thanks chaps!
Comparison image, both types flying side-by side.....
ETA: this extra image - U/C down
Mystery solved, methinks.
Edited by yellowjack on Friday 8th March 13:51
Eric Mc said:
Near the old Sun site then.
I didn't see or hear the Yak - too busy working (for a change).
Not too far from the 'Skellington', no. I liked it better when the old concrete roads for the wooden camp were still there, and Gibraltar Barracks MT section used the old parade square for driver training. Before they knocked down the row of cottages where 4A is now. At least the old running track still lurks in the woods.I didn't see or hear the Yak - too busy working (for a change).
As an aside, you being local and all, did you see David McCallum on TV recently? "Quint Munroe" in Mosquito Squadron, with Minley Manor featuring heavily in the attack sequence toward the end?
Eric Mc said:
I've never watched "Mosquito Squadron" all the way through. I always tended to look on it as "633 Squadron" on a budget.
Or, alternatively, 633 Squadron with a more readily achievable target. Although the way the props dept dressed some B Mossies up as FBs was laughable. Guns sticking out of the nose above a plainly painted over Bomb Aimer's window. And lots of gloopy romance to wade through to get to the action right at the end too. Fortunately we only caught the end of it at random, after a show on another channel had finished.
Sadly no Yak-52 tail-wheel conversions available in the UK, but the single-seat Yak-50 is a tail dragger. Quite visibly distinct from the 52 though.
Slight possibility that the OP saw a Nanchang, but the fin on the 'chang is a lot more square, the OP's sketch capturing the Yak tail nicely.
Haven't flown out group Yak for ages, hoping to give it a blast next week, as well as get some time in one of the Waltham Sbachs. Hooligan city.
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