1937 Abrams P1 Explorer surveillance aircraft - photo

[bruce.desertrat]

Rear engine, with airborne version of Kort Nozzle (ducted propellor), seems logical approach to reducing prop noise. Fits right in era these gained traction for nautical applications.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducted_propellor
and/ or
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducted_fan

This is just an artifact of the photography. A photo of it parked clearly shows that that is just a shroud around the cylinders of the radial engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrams...140188595).jpg

[Toolmaker51]

This is just an artifact of the photography. A photo of it parked clearly shows that that is just a shroud around the cylinders of the radial engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrams...140188595).jpg

Terrific article, Bruce, amplifies this post. Shrouded the cylinders probably aided cooling, many (most) have airfoil cross sections, IIRC early biplanes so-equipped.