French pusher, twin boom, recent.

Then it looks as if the UFO theory has it!

Having had time to research the suggestions, I would comment that the sighting was not a J-2, an autogyro, nor was it the Acapella (!) which is in the EAA Museum. The Whittaker is a ducted fan plane, sorry no ducts.

No need to go the US to see a SIPA Minijet, there is one, F-PDHE, the last production example at Persan-Beaumont airfield near Paris, but prior viewing permission required.

Below are photos of N917WJ in ‘RAF’ colours but this has probably been sold as the registered owner’s name has changed from previous information.

http://www.machdiamonds.com/s200.html

Good excuse for a Stateside holiday as though an excuse is needed.

I like that, can I have one for Christmas please?

Sadly, I think, you’d have to go shopping in the USA!

Sorry for the delay. I don’t lurk here much! I’m afraid this doesn’t ring any immediate bells with me. Perhaps if you could provide a detailed ID or, better still, a scanned sketch. Failing that I’d have to put up a selection as a sort of identity parade – “all right, take your time now but when you see the one you recognise, you tap him on the shoulder and we’ll do the rest”! In the meantime, take a look at an image of the Sipa Minijet and work from that!

I like that, can I have one for Christmas please?

Hmmm, Ive had some further ideas that might provide food for thought.

I don’t know if there are any flying in Europe now and assuming that you were not alerted by the fact that the wings were not full span, the McCulloch J-2 could, at a pinch, be described as looking like a Sipa Minijet with a pusher prop added. The Whittaker MW-2 might also pass muster but I believe that only one was constructed and that it is/was in a museum. And now for the obscure.

I’ve seen a photo of a Bede BD-5 constructed with twin booms. Apparently its called the Acapella. I know no more than that. Furthermore in the US it appears that there are a number of twin boom pushers which either have been homebuilt or plans for homebuilds exist. These are the Adams T-100 Mariah (but I suspect that it is too microlight to be capable of description as Sipa Minijet like), the American Patriot (which, it seems, is not a converted missile, like those V-1s that were mocked up with cockpits as German kamikaze aircraft) and the Walker Aria (which is actually a self launching twin boom sailplane, which has to be unique). Finally there’s the Ion 100 to 120 series, but that’s already been counted out.

Whatever it was, it seems unlikely to be French. Whilst I do not claim an exhaustive knowledge on the subject, I know of no light aircraft or ULMs in France today that fit your description, Newforest.

But maybe it really was an UFO. Perhaps from a relatively undeveloped planet if they are still employing piston engines, twin booms and the pusher arrangement. Or maybe it was a time travelling WW1 aeroplane. Is that men in white coats that I can see at the door, dear?

Thanks for thinking, I guess this is going into the ‘ufo’ category. Minijet with a pusher prop is my closest description.:)

No, single pusher, looked mid-wing, NOT Optica! Sort of Vampirish but piston speed probably a home built, you know what the French invent. Just waiting for Avions Anciens to look it up!

Sorry for the delay. I don’t lurk here much! I’m afraid this doesn’t ring any immediate bells with me. Perhaps if you could provide a detailed ID or, better still, a scanned sketch. Failing that I’d have to put up a selection as a sort of identity parade – “all right, take your time now but when you see the one you recognise, you tap him on the shoulder and we’ll do the rest”! In the meantime, take a look at an image of the Sipa Minijet and work from that!

No Kenneth, but maybe it was a German home built as it was coming from Germany to France?:confused:

German Lo 120 microlight?

Never seen a Shadow with twin booms!:D

Amy is my Queen!

Oh yes, you’re absolutely right. ZHR needs to engage brain before hitting keyboard early in the morning.

Never seen a Shadow with twin booms!:D

Amy is my Queen!

CFM Shadow?

New Horizons Colibri perhaps?
Or a Ion 100?

Maybe they brought one over.

None registered in France but that Colibri looks a real neat plane, hadn’t seen it before.:)

http://www.lightsportaircraft.ca/ussportaviationexpo/colibri-lightsportaircraft.html

New Horizons Colibri perhaps?
Or a Ion 100?

Maybe they brought one over.

Good try, thanks for looking but in France? Ended up looking at a SIPA Minijet with a prop conversion but no luck there either.:)

Possibly a Sadler Vampire:

http://www.aerov.com.au/?q=gallery/sadler-vampire

No, single pusher, looked mid-wing, NOT Optica! Sort of Vampirish but piston speed probably a home built, you know what the French invent. Just waiting for Avions Anciens to look it up!

Cessna 337?

Moggy