Abrams Strato-plane "Explorer" P-2

[Justo Miranda]

From
-Luftfahrt International 2102-801-1
-Der Deutsche Sportflieger Nov 1938
-Bob Banka collection

 

[Stargazer]

Very nice, thanks! One of my favorite pre-war aircraft... Any idea what this P-2 was supposed to be? The P-1 is the Explorer we all know, the one in the photographs. From the 3-view of the P-2, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference...

Anyhow, the title of the thread seems inadequate, it should read "Explorer P-2 Stratoplane" (no hyphen), since "Explorer" is the name of the model, P-1 the first prototype, and "Stratoplane" probably the individual name of the planned second aircraft (P-2) of that same model.

 

[archipeppe]

Some other shots of this rare bird.....

 

[archipeppe]

Even if this aircraft could be regarded as a sort of Edgar Optica forerunner, it share some (coincidental???) resemblance with the Dutch fighter proposal of DeSchelde S-21....

 

[joncarrfarrelly]

Abrams projects

P-2: same general layout as P-1, retractable landing gear
P-3: pressurized military project
PC-4: pressurized photo or commercial project, this was the aircraft Ted Abrams referred to as the Stratoplane.

Source: Skyways, June 2002

 

[Stargazer]

Thanks for the clarification and the plans that go with it!

Some more photos, hoping they haven't been posted on this forum already. Note that the P-1 fuselage is still preserved at Garber facility though it needs a major rehaul. Don't know if they've got the wings somewhere, though I would think logical.

 

[VictorXL188]

Hi First of all in regards to the Abrams P-1 Explorer in the museum, it is all there, including the wings. Back in a former life as an editorial assistant at Aerospace Publishing, I decided to do some research, in regards to adding the P-1 to the A-Z section, within a forthcoming new aviation partwork. During this research, I found that the Abrams Aerial Survey company were still going! I ended up speaking on the phone to the grandson of Talbert Abrams himself, who furnished me with a stack of information, of which only a small proportion was able to be used, in the context that the entry needed. I wish I could post a copy of the entry that I finally wrote, but I am currently suffering technical difficulties!

 

[Boxman]

Here is British Pathe footage of the Abrams Explorer (reg. NX19897) on YouTube.

YouTube - British Pathé: "America Prepares For Attack On Stratosphere Aka United States Stratosphere (1938)"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSTix-V4mjY

 

[Kdmoo]

A well rendered 3D model of it here.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/101144-Abrams-P-1-Explorer-WIP?highlight=abrams

 

[Silencer1]

These series of aircraft/projects lead me to Edgley Optica, that build about 40 years later:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGPCOommZ90

As "Explorer", it has been an "eye-catcher" of contemporary public, and even for our time as well - nice example of industrial design, representing the period's ideas on the shape of future's aircraft.

Comparison with De Schelde is brilliant!

 

[tallguy]

Even if this aircraft could be regarded as a sort of Edgar Optica forerunner, it share some (coincidental???) resemblance with the Dutch fighter proposal of DeSchelde S-21....

As it does the Sikorsky H-5?