20 radical military aircraft that didn’t make the cut
Vultee XP-54
With its twin boom, this odd prototype resembles a P-38 Lightning from a distance. The XP-54 “Swoose Goose” also featured a pusher engine, and to eject from the aircraft, the pilot exited from the bottom of the aircraft to clear the propeller. Its nose could also move independently from the rest of the aircraft, enabling the pilot to aim the weapons without altering the flight path. Although the Swoose Goose beat out the Ascender and Black Bullet, it’s handling didn’t meet the Army’s expectations and the project was cancelled.
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.