Help me identify an airplane.

[Greg Bockelman]

Sorry, no pictures. I saw an airplane today that I can’t identify. This was in the Kansas City area in the vicinity of LXT, Lee’s Summit airport. It went straight over the top of me so I couldn’t get a side view look at it.

At first, I thought it was a DC-3 but as it flew over, the wing planform was wrong. The wing was narrow at the fuselage, tapered out to the engine nacelles, and then tapered back in to the wingtips. I have never seen anything like it. Anyone have any ideas what it might have been?

 

[evapilotaz]

A ufo

 

[wilkersk]

Wasn't this was it?

 

[Pilawt]

Yeah, C-46 occurred to me, as well. Also, a "Super DC-3" (C-117) could look that way from some angles, too:



Or maybe a Convair?

 

[Greg Bockelman]

I know what all of those look like. It wasn't any of them. I thought maybe it was a German airplane but I cannot find one with the proper planform.

 

[Bell206]

Anyone have any ideas what it might have been?

Don't know if this will work, but find someone with a gold or business subs to Flightradar24 and search flights for that area, time, and date. If lucking should provide type.

 

[Pilawt]

I know what all of those look like. It wasn't any of them. I thought maybe it was a German airplane but I cannot find one with the proper planform.

Did it look like it was a contemporary of the DC-3, or more modern? Radials?

 

[Ted]

You're back stateside, Greg? Want to fly to Puerto Rico with me a week from Saturday?

 

[Lowflynjack]

I can almost guarantee it was a Stinson Tri-Motor. A friend of mine landed there about 19 hours ago!

 

[Greg Bockelman]

You're back stateside, Greg? Want to fly to Puerto Rico with me a week from Saturday?

I would LOVE to. However it was only temporary. I am on my way back to Guam as we type.

 

[Ted]

I would LOVE to. However it was only temporary. I am on my way back to Guam as we type.

Oh well, maybe next time. It was just an overnight trip anyway - easy 4,000 nm in 2 days in the Mitz.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Did it look like it was a contemporary of the DC-3, or more modern? Radials?

Radials. Same era as the -3. I initially thought it was a-3.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

I can almost guarantee it was a Stinson Tri-Motor. A friend of mine landed there about 19 hours ago!

That has to be it. Same wing shape. Don’t know how I missed the engine on the nose.

I wish I could get involved with something like that.

 

[Lowflynjack]

That has to be it. Same wing shape. Don’t know how I missed the engine on the nose.

I wish I could get involved with something like that.

It is the newest plane at the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Can't wait to go see it.