When the RAF were testing out their new hotrod ground attacker, the Mustang MK.I, they thought they’d see if it could also carry two massive Vickers S 40mm anti-tank cannons.

The I-185 could possibly be the greatest “What-If?” fighter in history. Unfortunately it was stymied by a number of factors, mainly personal.

The F-14 was a great aircraft. But when costs became a concern, rival McDonnell Douglas suggested an intriguing alternative; the F-15N.

Everyone has heard of the F-86 Sabre. But not so many have heard of the aircraft that originated it, the FJ Fury.

Many countries have built light fighters. But none has proposed a front line fighter quite as tiny as the Swiss ALR Piranha.

While the Dassault Mirage series is famous there was one experimental variant that offered even better potential performance – the Mirage G’s.

When Germany decided to build aircraft carriers, they also needed aircraft to go on them, leading to the creation of the Fieseler Fi 167.

With Allied airpower shredding the Luftwaffe on the ground, a novel solution was proposed – a rocket interceptor mounted on a rail cart. And the idea caught the attention of Hitler himself.

The Spitfire was just about the worst aircraft to convert for use on carriers. But in 1941 the British found they didn’t have a choice. Despite this, and a rather bad attrition rate, the type went on to have a rather long and successful career.