.This was a difficult contest, but four members of the Observer Corps provided the correct designation. The new mystery aircraft is easier.
The aircraft in question in the Summer 2010 issue is the short-lived Loening Aeronautical Engineering Company’s M-8 (BuNo A5631) pictured in fall 1919. Grover C. Loening originated the remarkable monoplane design in spring 1918 when the Army Air Service unofficially requested a two-seat fighter that would be superior to the famous British Bristol F.2B Fighter. Two prototypes were made for the Army, but World War I ended before more could be produced. The Navy took an interest in the design and ordered a single naval version in June 1919 that was designated the M-8 (some sources list it as M-8-0). Orders for 46 improved Loening M-80 and -81 aircraft followed. The follow-on aircraft, although designated as fighters, were used for observation duty.
The M-8 was a remarkable aircraft and was the Navy’s first monoplane fighter. It had a radiator design mounted beneath the engine that was unusual for the day and was powered by a 300-hp Hispano-Suiza engine. It carried a crew of two, had excellent visibility and could attain a top speed of 143 mph.
A5631 was accepted 9 August 1919 and left the factory in Mineola, N.Y., 17 September 1919, but crashed en route to Anacostia, Washington D.C. The pilot attempted a forced landing at Hog Island, Pa. This resulted in a spin and crash breaking the propeller, landing gear and longerons supporting the wings. The fuselage and engine were salvaged, but the aircraft was struck 19 December 1919.
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Mr. Dudley Cate of Asheville, N.C., was the winner of the summer contest and will receive a one-year subscription to The Hook magazine and a Tailhook coffee mug. Please keep your cards, letters and e-mails coming (The Tailhook Association, 9696 Businesspark Ave., San Diego, CA 92131; thookassn@aol.com). Be sure to include the manufacturer and correct designation of the aircraft at the time of the photograph. Please, no phone calls. The contest for the Fall issue ends on December 15, 2010.
Oh, yeah. Only one entry per contestant, please.
Either e-mail your
guess to thookassn@aol.com
or send it to:
"What is it?"
The Hook Magazine
9696 Businesspark Ave.
San Diego, CA 92131-1643
Contest deadline is December15, 2010.