Kurt Tank is justifiably famous for creating one of the most iconic aircraft in history. And this is where it started.
Playlist - Forgotten Aircraft
The Messerschmitt Me 264; Nazi Superfortress
An overly ambitious idea anyway, the Me 264 -one of the “Amerika Bombers” – was also beset by personality clashes and wrangling.
Westland-Hill Pterodactyl V – Flying Wing Fighter
When Westland and Hill were looking at the how to sell their new concept in tailless aircraft, they went for a logical one – build a fighter.
The Floatplane Spitfires
The Spitfire was the British “Go To” aircraft whenever a requirement came up, including several attempts to convert it into a floatplane.
Blackburn F.3; Didn’t Even Get Off the Ground
When the British wanted a new fighter in 1931 that was superior to anything flying, Blackburn came up with something rather unusual…and which ultimately never got off the ground!
The I.Ae. 24 Calquin; Argentina’s Derated Mosquito
When Argentina needed to update their air force during WW2, they decided to build an aircraft inspired by the de Havilland Mosquito.
Ilyushin’s Armoured Fighters; the Il-1/Il-2I
When the famous Il-2 attack aircraft proved good at shooting down German ground support aircraft, work to develop a fighter variant began.
Messerschmitt’s SchnellBomber; The Bf 162
When Messerschmitt decided to build a fast bomber, they thought there existing Bf 110 heavy fighter might make a good basis. It wasn’t.
“Germany Had No Interest in Heavy Bombers” – The Junkers Ju 89
“Germany had no interest in heavy bomber in WW2. They focused on tactical use for aircraft.” Very true, but that wasn’t the original idea…
Bristol Beaufighter NF Mk. V; How to Use ‘Good’ Ideas to Ruin an Aircraft
When the RAF were figuring how to tackle German night bombers, they took a good aircraft, applied a couple of logical concepts, and ruined it
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!
