20 radical military aircraft that didn’t make the cut
Bell XP-59A
The Bell XP-59 was actually two planes: one was a failed early-1940s twin-boom pusher prototype and the other was America’s first jet warplane. After seeing Britain’s first jet fighter, Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold wanted an American jet. To maintain project secrecy, the military designated the prototype the XP-59A and attached a propeller to the nose when it wasn’t in the air. Although it never entered production as a fighter, a few dozen “Airacomets” were built and American military aviators used the XP-59 to learn how to fly military jets.
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.