From the images I have seen, western lettering was normal on Japanese civil registrations pre-war.

I can see how a Northrop Gamma wing could be re-used more easily than most – and it was a strong and sound design. Doesn’t make this a Gamma, of course.. so not in agreement with NII. A Gamma with a new engine, fuselage, undercarriage and apparently tail is no more a Gamma than the bits left over after you took the wing off.

..but size is important to a fighter aircraft too. I guess it’s a question of lateral stability? Sorry for the drift. On subject, does anyone know what Yakovlev was up to between the bomber who’s name I can’t recall and the Yak-1? Also, there are a series of Polykarpov fighter design numbers between i-160 and 180 that I cannot find pictures for.

It was a friend of the OP’s I believe – so we are hoping for a better image at some point.

In the meantime… another wild idea. The Vought V-143 was purchased by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1937/38. Imagine this, if you will, with a re-positioned cockpit and a fixed u/c:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]256736[/ATTACH]

..or simply imagine a Japanese version of it. No, I don’t believe this is likely, but it’s a possible thread. The conspiracy theorists might be interested that an earlier iteration of this design disappeared over the Pacific on flight test, without a trace.. 😉

NII_VVS, the reason it is not a Gamma is this – the geometry is NOT the same:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]256735[/ATTACH]

It is possible but unlikely a Gamma wing was re-used in a one-off.

I don’t think anyone is now questioning that this aircraft was at the time and place mentioned, but of course this does not rule out an ‘exotic’ origin.

To avoid accusations of bias, this is the Telegraph’s take on something that would have been a major scandal a few years ago but now just seems background noise: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/03/priti-patel-accused-failing-disclose-meetings-israel/

Not just some lackey clumsily overstepping the mark, but the actual International Development Secretary (who oversees aid to Palestine) in off-record freelance meetings with political leaders and a lobbyist for Israel and without informing the Foreign Office.

Tell you what, John. I’ll write it in tabloid-speak, so the hard-of-thinking can understand:

RED TROT Dowd wants MP’s to see a report that makes GREAT country-boss May look like a plonker. A lady MP with great legs says no.

The DAILY W NK says “All labourites are STUPID, because the Government say so. OFFICIAL”. Now watch this video of someone else saying that, which we recorded off the telly, to prove it’s true.

Beermat SAVAGELY pointed this out.

Do you follow now?