Classic British Flight Sim

It never flew? So it was a Virgin Sturgeon!

It never flew? So it was a Virgin Sturgeon!

The virgin Sturgeon needs no urgin’ EricT
(Thinks).....Wonder if it ever applied to Scotland’s First Minister. EricT

simondix wrote: ↑

06 Jan 2021, 08:09

PeteP wrote: ↑

06 Jan 2021, 07:55

Airspeed wrote: ↑

06 Jan 2021, 03:08

I believe that there's a long-nosed version at Tangmere, btw.

There is one at Holyrood.

Apologies, I searched the aircraft to get a third opinion on the existence of a Merlin 140.
Tangmere Museum popped up with an entry featuring it as follows. I took it to be showcasing one of their own exhibits.
My assumption was obviously incorrect.


June, 2015

You are in:
Home
Aircraft of the Month Archive
Short Sturgeon

The Short Sturgeon was initially developed to meet the S11/43 requirement calling for a twin engine naval reconnaissance aircraft which could also operate as a torpedo bomber. Having submitted their design in good time, Shorts received an order for three prototypes on 19th October 1943. Two x F52 cameras and a single F24 were to be carried for the reconnaissance role with either one 1,000 lb bomb or 2 x 500 lb bombs in a bomb bay and 16 x 60 lb rockets carried under the wings meeting the bomber requirement. Armament was to include 2 x .5 in Browning machine guns mounted in the nose.

Powered by 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 140 V12 engines of 2,080 hp, each fitted with contra-rotating Rotol propellers, the first prototype Sturgeon made its maiden flight on 7th June 1946.

Airspeed wrote: ↑

06 Jan 2021, 10:41

Tangmere Museum popped up with an entry featuring it as follows. I took it to be showcasing one of their own exhibits.

Ah, that explains it Mike. Unfortunately it makes it even more embarrassing that I didn't recognise it - I've been running the Tangmere website since 2012 so, as that's dated 2015, it would have been me who uploaded the text and photos!

My only defence is that it was 5 1/2 years ago and my memory isn't what it was.

Pete

Yes, but that was a different variant, Pete, looks a lot different.
You don't need to defend yourself here.
Next time....

A week into the New Year, and what a mesh already!

An unsuccessful attempt at a replacement fighter.

It's a cage fighter!

Bit easier today

511Flyer wrote: ↑

07 Jan 2021, 15:44

It's a cage fighter!

Well,
You blokes are just TOO TOO good for me! I thank you all for making it fun and worthwhile from my end.
You were on to this like the proverbial rat up a drainpipe.
Yours to share, plenty to virtually go around......

Line honours went to Keith (Dev One)

Keith was hotly pursued by PeteP and Eric (Tomliner)
Ben (TSR2), Brian Franklin, Den (511Flyer), Joe (blanston12) and AllanL crossed the line shortly after.

Pete (Motormouse) was a near miss, although the design preceded his suggestion of an early experimental Fury, but AFAIK wasn't directly linked, as it was to the Typhoon and Tempest.

The Hawker Tornado seemed a good idea at the time, a barrage of 12 x .303s, or 4 x 20mm cannons as a fighter destroyer. I heard reports long ago that Hurricane IIBs carried 12 x .303s, and an accurate shot would saw the wing off its target. From your additional information supplied with your responses, you all know more about it than I do, so I won't go into more detail here. Right now, my computer is refusing to upload the clear image.
Anybody who wants to know, I suggest that a web search will tell all you need to know.