The P-47 is a legendary aircraft. But not so well known was its predecessor, and the company's first production aircraft - the P-43 Lancer.
The Republic P-43 Lancer – A Giant’s Stepping Stone
Playlist - Forgotten Aircraft
The BAe SABA – Havoc for Havocs
When the Soviet Union designed new attack helicopters in the ’80s, BAe came up with a concept to deal with it – SABA; the Havoc Killer.
The Boeing Super Phantom; Making a Legend Even Greater
In the early 80’s the DoD was concerned that the F-4 Phantoms in service would become obsolete. So they asked Boeing to develop an upgrade.
The Nemeth Parasol – A Parachuting Plane
Many designers have tried to improve how a wing works. But one interesting idea from 1934 sought to make it double as a parachute!
The Handley Page Hampden; A Plane for Fat Shaming
When Handley Page designed the Hampden, pilots must have been a very slim bunch, that’s all I’ll say. The fuselage was only three feet wide!
The Bréguet 482 – A Rather Elegant French “Heavy Bomber”
French bombers of the Interwar period have a…unfortunate reputation. But the Br.482 was cut from a rather different, more stylish cloth.
Frank Herbert’s Inspiration? The Riout 102T Alérion Ornithopter
A favourite in Sci-fi. the ornithopter seems like an aircraft of the future. In fact it has real world origins going back surprisingly far!
Steampunk AC-130!? The SAB AB-Series Heavy Bomber
Even by the standards of French interwar bombers, the AB’s were…unusual looking. In fact, they might the most “steampunk” aircraft ever!
Unwanted Humpty-Dumpties; The Bréguet 410-series
An attempt to supply a multirole aircraft to the French Air Force, the Bréguet 410-series certainly had that peculiar French quality.
First of the V’s – The Vickers Valiant
Somewhat eclipsed by it’s later siblings, the Victor and Vulcan, the Vickers Valiant was not only the first of the “V-Bombers” it also arguably achieved more than them in an admittedly short service life.
Exceptional Performer…if the Stories Are True – The MiG-31 “Firefox”
The Firefox is legend; a stealth aircraft capable of Mach 6! But the aircraft never made it into service, leaving only conspiracy theories.
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!
