Aircraft ID required

Rod_Filan · 29 November 2004, 06:39 PM

Looks to me like some variant of SPAD but with tandem seating and ailerons on both upper and lower planes. I'm not too familiar with these "modern" types, so any lecture on this would be welcome. Pilot of this airplane is Lt. Col. Stephan A. McClellan. At first I thought of McClellan Air Force Base but I can't seem to find out who it was named after.

http://members.shaw.ca/flyingaces/temp/McClellan.jpg

Usually I dont ask for photo ID help but this is for the airman's grandson. Thanx in advance.

VBR
Rod

baldeagle · 29 November 2004, 08:38 PM

I believe that's a Vought VE-7, about 1925, US Navy.

Take a look at http://www.aerofiles.com/_vot.html

Dan_San_Abbott · 29 November 2004, 09:04 PM

Rod Filan:
I agree throughly with Baldeagle.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Rod_Filan · 29 November 2004, 09:19 PM

Thank you sirs.

NACA report at:
http://naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/19...report-301.pdf has drawings to confirm this.

Baldeagle,
USN 1925. Is that based on markings or something else? Introduction date given at aerofiles is 1918.

An interesting note: A VE-7 made the first CARRIER takeoff from USS Langley Oct 17, 1922.

Dan_San_Abbott · 29 November 2004, 10:26 PM

Rod Filan:
The Vought VE-7 was a late 1918 design which was slated for production for the U.S.Navy. However this machine along with the Loening two-seat fighter and the Thomas-Morse MB3 all powered with the 300 hp Hisso would have made a name for themselves in 1919.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Rod_Filan · 30 November 2004, 12:24 AM

Roger Dan-San,
FYI vought.com has an excellent online history on this type. A must read. Two thumbs up.

http://www.vought.com/heritage/products/html/ve-7.html

Matt_Bittner · 30 November 2004, 04:52 AM

Does anyone have photos of the 300hp Hisso? Especially the engine used for the Loenings? TIA!

Colin A Owers · 30 November 2004, 02:14 PM

Dan San

I assume you mean the Loening two-seat monoplane?

This was not a success. It was too light. Rejected by the Army, it was selected by the USN for shipplane units and the Marines. Taken into service, it had so much trouble that they were all condemned. It was also built on floats as the LS.

Colin A Owers

jcridenour · 30 November 2004, 04:33 PM

McClellan Air Force Base was names after Civil War General George B. McClellan, as far as I know, and was amongst many other historic things, a stopping over / prep area for Doolittle's Raiders.

Dan_San_Abbott · 30 November 2004, 07:17 PM

Jcridenour:
If you will check , you will find that McClelland was named after Major General Harold M. McClelland, U.S. Army Air Force.
Blue skies,
Dan-San