Jump to content

Folland 43/37 "Frightful"?


Recommended Posts

Found this rarity while browsing ebay.de for images of Yakovlevs and Polikarpovs:

Folland_Frightful.jpg

On Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folland_Fo.108

Apparently it was designed to an Air Ministry Operational Requirement for an engine testbed. I say we bombard Airfix with demands for a new kit, preferably in 1/24 scale... :whistle:

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like it! No wonder they called it the 'Frightener', that must have been quite a beast with a Centaurus or Griffon fitted!

Well that's right! It could be marketed in different boxings, each with a different engine. It would be a goldmine, I tell you!

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Errrr... Yes. Guilty as charged guv'nor! :banghead::boom::owww:

(It was not a pleasant build.)

Edited by wyverns4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

The designer was Folland himself, and if you don't know the name you will have heard of his SE 5 and Gloster's string of successful biplane fighters. It's an entirely conventional monoplane of the period, it just looks odd because it has a stalky undercarriage to ensure clearance of the expected very large propellers, and has a large fuselage for the flight observer monitoring the engine instrumentation. Folland had left Gloster after the Hawker Siddeley takeover, not wanting to be second-fiddle to Camm, and established his own company. It's quite possible that he got the contract as Ministry assistance to small companies with good ideas, much as James Martin was given money (and precious engines!) to support the Martin Baker line.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...