What did I see? (Aircraft)

[zildjian]

Sunday afternoon a distinct and unusual aircraft flew over the house at maybe couple thousand feet


looking up I saw something about the size of a Lear jet, with an engine on each wing facing backwards, and a couple of canard wings (small wings up front alongside cockpit)

anyone know about aircraft?

[TonyS]

Thats interesting, May have been a Beechcraft Starship... but I doubt it due to very limited production. Have a look on Google images. Incidentally, went to"Cold War Jets Day" at Bruntingthorpe airfield near Leicester the other Sunday. What a day, despite the rain, they run up and taxi a different jet, all privately owned, every half an hour throughout the day, including jet provosts, Victor bomber, Hunter, They even have a Nimrod and English Electric Lightning which they run up the 2 mile long runway on full reheat!... will definately be going to the next one in May. ( word of advice - leave the dog at home and take earplugs)..

[zildjian]

Distinct noise too if that narrows it down, this is the week 'after' the local airshow (Where coincidentally I signed up Donnie)
but I think I heard it flying back across us an hour or so later

[Lost in the wilds]

May be a Beech Starship - run a search and there are plenty of images.

[zildjian]

bingo (both of you in fact) yea thats what flew over

[zildjian]

I would guess for the passengers at least it would be a quiet trip with the props way back out of earshot, but it certainly motivated me to get up and go see what the noise was on Sunday

[derestrictor]

sure i read somewhere that rear facing props produce a different tone, think it might have been on things like goodyear blimp though if that would be the same on light aircraft or not i dont know


just my 2P worth

[rubberrat]

I know what you mean about the noise.. They sound 'frantic'
No sure of the physics,aerodynamics of rear facing prop, less moving air thus lift over the wing

[zildjian]

are they any good then these starship things? don't remember ever seeing them before

[rubberrat]

I guess they are cheaper than a Lear or King.
There's often one parked up at Stanstead by Harrods hanger.
Not on my shopping list!