Bitzer project

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PeteP
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by PeteP »

Dev One wrote:
21 Oct 2020, 19:47
OK you win, but technically I think its a Zlin 381 with that engine.
Keith :hide:
Well, if it's G-GLSU as I suspect it is, it was a Bestmann licence-built in Sweden for the Swedish air force under the designation Sk25.
Pete

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Kevin Farnell
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by Kevin Farnell »

I'll go for a Nord Pingouin.

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Dev One
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by Dev One »

It is (or was) definitely 'GLSU - look at the shield in the photo that has '6 wells' written above it & then Alamy have a photo of her. G-Info say she is a Bucker Bestmann with a Hirth engine, but built by presumably a Swedish company Hagglund & Soner AB.
Nitty gritty night...
Keith :hide:

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Airspeed
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by Airspeed »

Very well thought out responses, thank you all. :thumbsup:
Allan cracked it again!
Good sleuthing, Allan, that's a gold badge for you. :)
Image
The photo was taken at RLM Aviation's Surrey workshop in September 2004.
It was indeed registered as G-GLSU. Apparently the finish was done by Vintage Fabrics on the IOW.
Image

PeteP
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by PeteP »

Dev One wrote:
21 Oct 2020, 22:59
- look at the shield in the photo that has '6 wells' written above it
Keith :hide:
Indeed, Keith, that's how I identified it but I think the word is Wels which Mr G tells me is a city in Austria. Apparently the sheild below is the badge of Luftwaffe flying school A/B 115 which was based at Wels. You learn something new everyday! ;)
Pete

https://www.airhistory.net/photo/40348/G-GLSU

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Airspeed
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by Airspeed »

At first, I imagined that WELS was the initials of the flying school.
Then I discovered that it is the name of a large catfish found in Europe.
Why the number 6 is there mystifies me, as the fin has a large 1.
The magazine article I used for the previous images, had a close up of the badge.
When I came to post it here, I see that Pete already posted a link to a photo that includes the badge.
I'm not going to just waste it...
Image

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AllanL
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by AllanL »

Wow, well Pete got there too and knew more of the history.

Not sure why I was set on the Germanic source for the cockpit framework. I know I have a Bestmann tucked away somewhere in my sim files, probably fs9. Must dust it off and give it a turn round the block now. In the Great Escape movie I think it was a Bestmann or a bF108 that was going to be an escape route.

What a shame that G-GLSU ended up crashing after returning to Germany. Apparently some of the parts are going into another rebuild.

Cheers,
Allan

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blanston12
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by blanston12 »

I had though it might be a Bf 108 but the engine cowling seamed wrong, though it should have looked more like this:

Image

The engine in the sample looked more like a de Havilland Gipsy Major
Joe Cusick,

Image
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Airspeed
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by Airspeed »

Get your pennies ready, enough fun & frolics, time for some serious viewing.
So what are they, Ladies and Gentlemen?
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PeteP
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Re: Bitzer project

Post by PeteP »

Goodness me you're getting really sneaky with these questions, Mike - a man after my own heart! :thumbsup: ;)

I'll try a Wellington but I'm far from convinced so I'll have some breakfast and have another think about it.

Pete

EDIT - I've looked at it again and I think it may have 4 radial engines so I'd like to change my guess to a Halifax BIII.
P.
Last edited by PeteP on 24 Oct 2020, 07:58, edited 1 time in total.

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