20 radical military aircraft that didn’t make the cut
Northrop YA-9A
In 1972, the Air Force conducted a fly-off competition between Northrop’s YA-9A and Fairchild Republic’s YA-10A prototypes. The winner would become the service’s new close air support platform, replacing the aging propeller-driven A-1 Skyraider. While the YA-9 had several advantages over its competitor, the A-10’s engines offered greater survivability and the double tail did a better job of hiding the engine exhaust’s infrared signature.
As soon as I finish my “slideshow” on Cold War-ERA TAC warplanes — which has become more of a full-length article with 1,500 words and counting — I’ll jump right on that, Colonel!
Thanks for your service,
Chris
Excellent article and fascinating pictures. Would like to see a similar one for pre-ww1, ww1 and post-ww1 aircraft. Thanks, Colonel Buzzsaw, USAF-ret. Retired SADO/13B/DO for 601 AOC.