The B-54 was the ultimate version of the B-29 Superfortress family. But technology moved on far too quickly for the aircraft.
The Boeing B-54; Ultimate Superfortress
Playlist - Forgotten Aircraft
The Other “Yellow Peril”; Naval Aircraft Factory N3N
The last open cockpit biplane ended its service with the US military at the same time as the F-4 Phantom was coming into service!?
The Folland Gnat; Sabre Slayer
The Folland Gnat is generally remembered for the amazing stunts it performed with the Red Arrows. But it was also a lethal little fighter.
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.10; “Two Wings Good, Four Wings…Better?”
Biplanes were the norm during WW1, so designers looked at whether more wings may be better. The F.K.10 quadruplane proved….no, they weren’t.
Fairey Spearfish; The (Obsolete) British Avenger
When the Royal Navy wanted a replacement for the Barracuda bomber during WW2, they asked for an improved equivalent – the Fairey Spearfish.
The Lockheed YF-12A; Ultimate Interceptor
When the USAF wanted a Mach 3 fighter in 1959, the Lockheed Skunk Works had an offer for them that could’ve been the ultimate interceptor.
The FMA Pucará; Argentine Guerilla Hunter
The FMA Pucará IA 58 counter insurgency aircraft is a plane that seems to have both missed its window and fallen foul of international politics.
Avro Lincoln; The Super Lanc That Was Outdated When it Arrived
When the RAF started looking at a campaign against Japan in WW2, Avro did the logical thing and built a “Super Lancaster”, the Lincoln.
The Avro Manchester; Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow
The Avro Manchester was a disaster as an aircraft. But from inauspicious beginnings came a legend – the Lancaster.
The Belyaev DB-LK; How Many Ideas Can a Designer Sandwich into an Aircraft?
Combining a semi-flying wing – which were incidentally swept forward – an four crew sandwiched into engine nacelles, the DB-LK was unique.
IAI Lavi; The Little Lion That Didn’t Make It…Maybe
In 1980 the Israeli’s set out to develop one of the most advanced aircraft of the day – despite not having the tech or money. And they did!
About This Playlist
The Martin Baker MB.5? Westland Wendover? Some of the aircraft here have just faded into history. Some were good planes that just came at the wrong time and so are now barely remembered. And some are just so utterly weird it boggles the mind as to what the designers were thinking!
