Can anyone identify this plane?

[Cthulhu]

Yup, found muh book.

The two planes i was thinkin' of were the A-29 (Lockheed Model 414) Hudson

and the B-34 Ventura.


Realy interesting plans, look them up.

Actually Lockheed had quite a few aircraft from the 30's that match this configuration. Look at the Electra and Electra Junior.

Also, Just for grins, take a look at John Wayne's "Flying Tigers". If memory serves, I think that's a C-45 that's used to drop their "nitro"" bombs on the Japanese train. Nothing like 1942 special effects.

[Jester]

Also, Just for grins, take a look at John Wayne's "Flying Tigers". If memory serves, I think that's a C-45 that's used to drop their "nitro"" bombs on the Japanese train. Nothing like 1942 special effects.

Nope, that is a CAPELIS XC-12

Capelis
Safety Airplane Corp, Oakland Airport and El Cerrito CA.



XC-12 1933 = 12pClwM rg*; two 525hp Wright Cyclone; span: 55'0" length: 42'0" load: 3000# v: 220/190/65. Dr John E Younger; POP: 1 [X12762]. All-metal; triple biplane tail; *partly-retracting gear, which extended automatically when the throttle was closed. Funded by local Greek restaurateurs as a promotional aircraft, and constructed with help from University of California students. US patent #1,745,600 issued to Socrates H Capelis, of El Cerrito, in 1930 (a modified application for patent of the design with a half-span dorsal wing and two more engines appears in 1932). The main spar was bolted together, and much of the skin attached with P-K screws rather than rivets. These tended to vibrate loose, requiring tightening or replacing every few flights. Promotional tours were soon abandoned, and its career ended as a movie prop, appearing in ground roles* in several motion pictures ("Five Came Back" 1939, "Flying Tigers" 1942, others) before reportedly being scrapped c.1943. * Flying shots in films were of a model; the plane itself was grounded by the studio's insurance company.

You have Capelis XC-12 as scrapped c. 1943. I've seen this elsewhere, so I was surprised when I watched the Columbia 1950 release "On the Isle of Samoa" on TCM, which featured both the model and the full-scale ship. So it appears the old bird lasted longer than has been suggested! (— William Villan 4/7/07)

[Cthulhu]

Nope, that is a CAPELIS XC-12

Thanks Jester, I remember that funky empennage now. That's quite a rare bird. I especialy like the self-extendng gear. Was there only one built?

[Jester]

Nope, only one made - and by the description it was dangerious enough!    

The original was redone for another movie but the Film Studio's Insurance Company grounded the aircraft. Even in the FLYING TIGERS movie it was actually pulled around the area where the filming was done.

Another Version of the Story......

"At school we used the text "Structural Design of Metal Airplanes" by Younger and in it was a construction photo of a strange airplane, the same ugly hulk of which was parked off the tarmac just south east of the terminal at Glendale." Herb

According to Aerofiles: Capelis Safety Airplane Corp, Oakland Airport and El Cerrito CA. Capelis XC-12 [X12762] with fake tail number for a motion picture; that's Mr Capelis holding a yardstick. Site is Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale CA (RKO via Paul Mantz collection) Capelis XC-12 Revised cockpit and windows (Frank Rezich coll) Capelis XC-12 Oakland Airport (William T Larkins) XC-12 1933 = 12pClwM rg*; two 525hp Wright Cyclone; span: 55'0" length: 42'0" load: 3000# v: 220/190/65. Dr John E Younger; POP: 1 [X12762]. All-metal; triple biplane tail; partly-retracting gear, which extended automatically when the throttle was closed. Funded by local Greek restaurateurs as a promotional aircraft, and constructed with help from University of California students. US patent #1,745,600 issued to Socrates H Capelis, of El Cerrito, in 1930 (a modified application for patent of the design with a half-span dorsal wing and two more engines appears in 1932). The main spar was bolted together, and much of the skin attached with P-K screws rather than rivets. These tended to vibrate loose, requiring tightening or replacing every few flights. Promotional tours were soon abandoned, and its career ended as a movie prop, appearing in ground roles in several motion pictures ("Five Came Back" 1939, "Flying Tigers" 1942, others) before being scrapped c.1943. Flying shots in films were of a model; the plane itself was grounded by the studio's insurance company.

Capelis XC-12: flown to GCA from OAK via Fresno by Jack Beilby, Mose's right-hand man. The X-12 made a wheels-up landing at Fresno, with little damage and Jack continued on to GCA. Never flew again, but was extensively modified (windshield, etc.) for movie work by Timm."

" P-K screws!! Like my Cessna --- but it gave me something to do cross-country." Herb