It isn't well known that the famed Messerschmitt Bf 109 of WW2 was trialled with a radial engine...an American radial engine!
The American Messerschmitt…sort of…; Bf-109 V21 and -X
Playlist - Forgotten Aircraft
The Nikitin-Shevchenko IS-Series; Polymorphic Fighters
Designed to combine the strengths of both the biplane and monoplane, the IS-series was a remarkable technical achievement.
The Hillson FH.40 Slip Wing Hurricane
Looking to combine the strengths of the monoplane and biplane, one small British aero company got to experiment with an interesting concept.
CAC CA-11 Woomera; Too Little, Too Late
The CA-11 Woomera was the intended production variant of the CA-4 “Wackett Bomber”. However, the realities of war meant it was never to be.
The CAC CA-4 “Wackett Bomber”
Even before World War 2, the Australians realised they might need to supply their own aircraft. Top priority was a new attack aircraft.
Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? Errr….no….The Focke Achgelis Fa 330
When the U-Boats were pushed from their hunting grounds, Heinrich Focke had a brilliant idea on how to boost their search range.
Super Mystere vs. Mi-24; 13 September, 1985
The Mi-24 Hind is one formidable helicopter. But against a fighter, even one as old as the Super Mystere, there is only one outcome.
A Plane of Two Parts – The Tachikawa Ki-94
Realising that things weren’t going their way, the Imperial Japanese Army issued specifications in mid-1942 for new interceptors to tackle bombers that may attack the Japanese homeland. This led to the Ki-94, which in fact ended up producing two different designs!
Watch out for the Stinger! – the Fairchild AC-119G/K Gunships
While the AC-47 and AC-130 of the Vietnam War tend to get remembered, the AC-119 is often forgotten. But they saw use right up to the end.
Gloster Gamecock – Oldest Fighter to Get a Kill in World War Two?
The Gloster Gamecock is barely recalled, but it had a couple of achievements – including capturing a much more advanced bomber in action!
Avia B.135; The Czechoslovak “Almost Was” That Became a Bulgarian Bomber Killer
In the 1930s, the Czechoslovaks built up a powerful air force. To compete, they needed a modern fighter. Alas, politics made it all redundant.
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!
