WIX Archives
Re: "Mr. Awesome" - LET C.11
Posted by Steve T on Fri Aug 01, 2003 07:52:26 AM
In reply top "Mr. Awesome" - LET C.11 posted by Scott WRG Editor on Fri Aug 01, 2003 01:14:02 AM
Hi Scott--
Haven't got a photo of that Yak, but I certainly remember it: R3350 engine out of a Connie, cowling and all from the look of it; streamlined canopy, and, iirc, abbreviated wingspan as well. The T-33 tailplanes harmonized remarkably well with the Yak wing planform and actually improved the proportions of this monster a bit...but it still must have been a beast to handle, and never met with much success on the air race circuit. In appearance, once the T-33 tailplanes were fitted, it actually faintly resembled the beautiful Hughes H-1 of 1935...in a steroid-enhanced way!
Anyway, all that to say that both configurations of "Mr. Awesome" were covered photographically in the Challenge mags' Reno coverage (articles by John Tegler, probably)...the aircraft was entered at Reno about three or four years, anyone remember which years?
S.