Last U.S. military biplane

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

I am not taking a potshot at N3NJeff at all, ok?

His signature prompts this question.
N3N according to this, was the last U.S. Military biplane.

My question is: Didn't the U.S. military employed some An-2, that were incorporated either as OPFOR or used for
clandestine ops?

Would this make the An-2 the last US Military biplane? Or is in fact, the N3N such an airplane?

TIA

Saludos,

Tulio

shrike · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:33 pm

Apparently the USAF cut a contract for AN-2 training (with the CAF) this summer.
I'm not sure if that counts as it looks like they are leasing the airplane, but whats the point of training crews if you don't have/won't get one yourself?

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity ... e&_cview=0

JohnB · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:13 pm

I recall hearing of a classified study in the early 80s where GE tested an AN-2's radar signature...appearently they were concerned about USSR or N. Korea using them to drop special forces teams in advance of an attack..

If that's true, the US has had access to AN-2s long before these recent training efforts.

In 2004, I was at an USAF open house and they had a team that flew M-8s, AN-32s and other Soviet equipment to train our newfound allies.

Still I'd hate to call them the last US military biplanes. A limited test or eval effort is a lot different from regular operational use.
I think the honor still goes to N3Ns

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:47 pm

Like 'probably the best lager' you can be covered by the Weasel words or adjectives. The An-2 isn't an American [designed or built] type so it's not the last American [designed or built] type, but the last American [operated] biplane.

And apart from a couple of WIX members, who cares? :snakeman:

The US military aren't going to be arguing the detail of that...

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

My question was not directed to the U.S. military. And besides, if one, two or more WIXers care about this, that's good enough for me. As for pretentious and arcane usages of the English language, I'll -once again- pass.

Tulio

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:43 am

Tulio wrote:

My question was not directed to the U.S. military. And besides, if one, two or more WIXers care about this, that's good enough for me. As for pretentious and arcane usages of the English language, I'll -once again- pass.

Tulio

Hi Tulio...yep N3NJeff and I had a similar discussion a few years back. N3N was last 'merican-built biplane in service, An-2 was/(is?) last biplane in service...US Army Special Ops training unit or somesuch. I'm not thinking of contracted services, but actual service ownership,... I'll await clarification from the WIX-ers, tho.

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:44 am

I was looking for another link which was available back then, but this is what I found today...
http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/TSMO/TSMO.htm

All three serials listed are recorded on Joe Baughers page.

JDK · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:36 am

Maybe the humour didn't go over, so sorry about that, but I'll take Airnutz's following post as confirmation of my cut of the statement. Given off the beaten warbird track's generally where I hang out, I'd've thought it obvious I was hardly going to suggest sticking to just the mainstream. Whatever.

Sadly weasel words aren't as 'pretentious and arcane' as we might like - they're pretty critical in spotting where you aren't going to quite get what's being 'offered'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word

Regards,

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:28 am

Tulio wrote:

Would this make the An-2 the last US Military biplane? Or is in fact, the N3N such an airplane?

Welllll...in thinking about the question a bit, there is the fact the N3N was the last US military-BUILT biplane...as in Naval Aircraft Factory. His tag, "the last US Military biplane" and the intent of his statement may be a bit vague and in need of clarification and adjustment. :wink:

shrike · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:53 am

Or we could look at the RQ-6 Outrider.

But then we have to argue about the definitions of "biplane" and "operated"

Tiger Tim · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:49 am

I think I remember reading a while back about a USAF test pilot school that trains on a wide variety of types and among them was a Stearman. I may have butchered those facts pretty badly but I figured I'd bring it up in case anyone here knows more.

-Tim

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:44 am

DANG! And I was hoping they'd put together a 4 ship aerial demo team-imagine a diamond high speed level pass to open, shouldn't take over an hour :lol:

Speedy · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:09 am

The Inspector wrote:

DANG! And I was hoping they'd put together a 4 ship aerial demo team-imagine a diamond high speed level pass to open, shouldn't take over an hour :lol:

You mean kind of like the two Republic Sea Bee's that flew in the Vintage & Historic Weekend up at Paine Field back in September?

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:17 am

Having watched an AN-2 takeoff and fly (or drift away on prevailing breezes) @ KPAE several years ago, the guys in the SEABEES were haulin' butt, and they are even more impressive up @ Concretes fly-in where you're about 60 feet or so from runway centerline

Bcook · **Joined:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:11 am **Posts:** 29

This is why wix sucks.
One topic turns into several off colored subjects.
In every thread! :roll:

Bi planes and English lessons! :roll:

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Last U.S. military biplane

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