Neville Shute - cone of silence plane ID

[heisthegaffer]

Hi all, my dad has asked me what plane is in the above film. I haven't got a photo but it's not a large plane, probably around a HS125 size but with an odd engine arrangement, 1 single outer engine and the inner appears to be two (or one larger) engine(s).

Any ideas you clever lot?

[LimaDelta]

Avro Ashton?

[MarkwG]

I've not seen the film, but the internet seems to think it was this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Ashton

[Eric Mc]

An evolution of the unloved Avro Tudor. The small number built were only ever used as research and test bed aircraft.

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks all, I knew I'd find the answer on here!

[dr_gn]

heisthegaffer said:

Thanks all, I knew I'd find the answer on here!

All you had to do was type "cone of silence aircraft" into Google, and the first thing that comes up is a Wikipedia link to the film, which includes a full description of the film and aircraft...

[LimaDelta]

dr_gn said:

heisthegaffer said:

Thanks all, I knew I'd find the answer on here!

All you had to do was type "cone of silence aircraft" into Google, and the first thing that comes up is a Wikipedia link to the film, which includes a full description of the film and aircraft...

There's also a thread on the Flyer forum about it!

[heisthegaffer]

dr_gn said:

All you had to do was type "cone of silence aircraft" into Google, and the first thing that comes up is a Wikipedia link to the film, which includes a full description of the film and aircraft...

Believe it or not, I did have a search but under Neville Shute cone of silence plane but it just came up with loads about the book. I'm not that lazy.

[NickCQ]

For all who haven't read it, his book 'Slide Rule' is fantastic, whether you are interested in airships, planes or business.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_Rule:_Autobiog...

[GliderRider]

I have read most Neville Shute books, but had not heard of this one. Not surprising really as the book was actually by David Beaty. See Wikipedia for more about the film. Cone of Silence Wiki

As Wikipedia says, the Avro Ashton in the film was an Olympus engine testbed, hence the additional engine pods outboard of the standard siamesed pair.

Maybe I could win a 'tenuous links' double prize for this thread, as my Dad did a lot of flying in the Avro Ashton, includung a trip to Sudan, and my Mum was in the Brownies with Neville Shute's daughters...