Questions tagged [aircraft-identification]
For questions seeking to identify an aircraft, e.g. by description or photograph.
41
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Is this a C-17 (and why is it here)?
This aircraft flew overhead at less than 1000 ft a little while ago. We think it's a C-17. We can't figure out what it was doing...
(Click here for full image)
We're in Culver City, between LAX and ...
47
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What is this aircraft with elaborate folding wings?
I noticed this plane in the background of this car advert. Can anyone identify it? I'm assuming that may have been used on an aircraft carrier, hence the elaborate folding wings?
23
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Can you identify this jet turbine stage?
I was just wondering if anyone could give me any info about this turbine rotating stage I picked up at a yard sale today.
The stage measures 8-1/2" to the outside of the blades. The only markings I ...
11
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How to recognise the Tupolev Tu-154, Tu-204, and Tu-334?
Tupolev used to be the one of the largest airliner manufacturer comparable to Boeing and Airbus. However since the dissolution of USSR, its airliner business is declining, and only operated by a few ...
33
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What is the use of this jet aircraft with tanks between biplane wings?
Looking at this soviet-like aircraft:
Source
It looks like a turbine engineer team met a biplane aerodynamicist team to create this strange aircraft! More over, it appears the two big pottery pieces ...
28
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What helicopter has the most rotor blades?
I have seen 2 rotor blades up to many and wonder when does having more rotor blades become less efficient? What helicopter has the most rotor blades?
Related: Why don't helicopters prefer shorter ...
7
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3
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Can someone identify if this is a Boeing or an Airbus?
I would like to know if this is a Boeing or an Airbus. Maybe there is an Aviation Wizard out there. It's an EasyJet plane.
1
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1
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Given an exact date, time, and coordinate, can I locate a plane that flew overhead?
I need to identify an aircraft seen at 36.841900,-87.673600 Kentucky on July 4, 2020, at 12:29am.
Is there a way to do this feasibly?
Figured out what it is:
40
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Which aircraft had such a luxurious-looking navigator's station?
I'm reading the BBC's How Fiji changed the way we travel; The little Pacific island nation was the first to incorporate GPS into its aviation system – and in doing so forever changed the way we get ...
36
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Why was this commercial jet accompanied by small plane near Seattle?
From the South Beach Campground on the western shore of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State we observed this unusual formation:
I only had a Sony RX100 at hand but perhaps the image quality is ...
25
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What is this squawk 7777 target at an altitude of 62,700' over Germany?
Can anyone shed any light as to what this is (circled in white)?
24
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Can you identify this 1920s or 30s biplane?
Can you identify this aircraft from the 1920s or 30s I think? On the back of the photo it says “Taken at Nanking, after flying from Hong Kong to Shanghai”. I don’t know who the pilot is. My ...
22
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Does this Lear 35 have missiles on it?
Janes aircraft recognition guide has a picture of this plane on the Lear 35 page. Does it have missiles on it or is this some special modification?
20
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How can I tell the difference between Spitfires and Hurricanes in photos?
The Spitfire was one of WW2's iconic aircraft, its fame coming from its spectacular performance in the Battle of Britain. But in that battle, Hawker Hurricanes outnumbered Spitfires 2:1.
Often ...
20
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3
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Is this a famous aviator / airplane?
This may be a little off topic but I could not find a better community or website.
I have two photo postcards with a man in front of a plane. Pretty sure it's Charles Lindbergh but an exhaustive ...
20
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What plane is this?
This aircraft was parked at the very back of the McCarran airport, and I was absolutely fascinated by it. It has a propeller on the back of the fuselage as well, though not very well shown in the ...
19
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What is this aircraft with pipes at the flight deck windows?
This image comes from a site about aircraft tractors:
What could be the reasons for this old aircraft to have pipes at the flight deck windows and to be moved near a forest?
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What is the definining line between a helicopter and a drone a person can ride in?
When I say drone in this context I don't mean an unmanned aircraft. I'm not sure what the terminology of a drone that has been adapted to carry a person? Is this picture below considered a helicopter ...
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Can you identify this airplane?
Im thinking the window sequence and the shadow (possible a prop?) Might be your best help. My dad bought this photo and him nor I can figure it out. I work at a dang airport, too! TIA.
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What aircraft is shown in this cockpit picture?
While watching this YouTube video, I saw a stock image of a cockpit (at 28:55; unrelated to the rest of the video), which I didn't recognise:
The general design and some panels look very Airbus like, ...
16
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2
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What is the story of this aircraft?
From this page about nuclear bombers:
It seems out of Wild Wild West. What is this (Russian?) aircraft from another era? and what has been its use?
Update:We know now the image has been created ...
15
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What is the fastest airplane?
There are many airplanes that claim to be the fastest piston, private jet, airliner, but what is the all time fastest airplane? How fast does it travel?
15
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What is this aircraft seen at Peachtree City, GA?
Sorry for the poor quality, but this jet was taking off from Peachtree City Regional on Sunday 13 May. Anyone know the aircraft?
15
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What is this plane and what are the rockets on the back used for?
While reading this question I saw an image of a plane marked as a US Marines plane of some sort with thrusters or rockets of some sort attached to the sides just past the CG. What plane is this and ...
14
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How can you identify an Airbus or Boeing from the inside?
How can you recognize a plane from the inside, when you are already sitting as passenger? In particular, is there a way to understand if you are inside a Boeing or an Airbus?
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What is this helicopter (and probe) in the film "Act of Valor"?
In the film Act of Valor, two helicopters are used to airdrop troops and their boats onto a river. (Clip here.)
Firstly can you identify the aircraft?
Second, what is the extremely long probe on the ...
13
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6
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Can an experienced airplane spotter identify planes only by sound?
I come from a background in railroad watching, and often times one can identify the maker of a railroad locomotive purely by sound. Maybe not the exact model of locomotive, but at least what type of ...
11
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What is this abandoned plane?
Does anyone knows what type of plane is this and its model?
(Source: YouTube channel AssombradO.com.br)
11
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Can you identify this plane from 1920 and prior vintage?
My grand uncle, that is my grandfather's brother had a flight school and performed in barnstorming shows somewhere in the midwest and it's not a Jenny. His name was Ralph Bloxham and is seen with his ...
10
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Twin-Engine WWII Japanese Bomber
I recently inherited a number of pictures taken by my father in August & September 1945. During the process of Japanese surrender at the end of WWII.
Several are of captured aircraft, most of ...
9
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2
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What airplane is this? and why the strange inlets?
Why does it have such strange intakes?
8
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3
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What is this plane seen in Mobile, Alabama?
This was taken at the USS Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. It is probably a US Navy aircraft.
7
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What aircraft are these, and why are these engine sizes so different?
These glamorous vintage images were once famous in magazines and used by airlines to advertise their products, and yes, flight attendants clothing was like this! Old and more relaxed times, though ...
7
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2
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What is the crank on the ceiling of this aircraft?
What is the crank the pilot is operating above his head? Also what type of aircraft is this?
image source
6
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1
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Can anyone identify this Biplane flown Army Air Reserve stationed at Clover Field, Santa Monica, California in mid the 1920's?
Can anyone identify this biplane flown by the 476th pursuit squadron "The Black Falcons" of the 322rd pursuit group of the Army Air Reserve stationed at Clover Field, Santa Monica, ...
5
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1
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How can an helicopter end up with the same tail number than an airplane?
For example, take N133AA.
https://www.jetphotos.com/registration/N133AA shows American Airlines photos from the 90s and an helicopter from this decade:
The FAA only shows the helicopter registry:
...
4
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2
answers
857
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Is this blended wing body trijet airliner real?
Is it a commercial plane? Is this a better design in any way than regular engines on the wings?
4
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1
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616
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What is this NASA UAV, and what is its function?
For the question What's up with the “What's Up at Wallops” app? I was reviewing the What's up at Wallops website and drifted to the launch photos page where I saw this aircraft. I did not find a ...
4
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What closed-cockpit biplane is this model modelled after?
What closed-cockpit biplane is this model modelled after?
3
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Is this photo showing dozens of airliners in close proximity real, or even plausible?
CNN has an article about Heathrow that's accompanied by the following photo:
Is this photo depicting an actual event? If not, would it even be possible/plausible to fly this many airliners this ...
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Is this a 737-800 or 737 MAX 8?
Is this a 737-800 or 737 MAX 8?