Stepping back and looking at the flow of history has always been fascinating to me. That is why, when I think about WW2 aircraft, I also like to think about how much aviation progress was made during the war, and how quickly things continued to progress after the war.
But that also goes in the opposite direction. When I look at the planes that just missed being frontline fighters and bombers, I can't help but be impressed at how primitive those planes were compared to the ones we are so familiar with. For example, the B-17 was ordered as a replacement for the B-10 (which was also the B-12, B-13, and B-14, but with different engines. The B-11 was a Douglas seaplane). Imagine if the B-10 had been all that was available to bomb Germany!
The B-10 had some noteworthy firsts, being the first bomber with monoplane, all-metal construction, enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, and an enclosed bomb bay. It was also faster than the pursuit fighters of its day (it first flew in 1932). Fortunately, the Army Air Corps recognized soon enough that a better plane was going to be needed, and the first B-17 was in the air in 1935.
If I recall rightly, the Bf-109 was also the owner of a whole slew of radical "firsts," and not just incremental improvements.
But here's another one that is even more interesting: The Grumman Wildcat was originally conceived as an all-metal biplane. Just imagine that thing leading the fight at Midway! But Grumman figured out in time that they had to do better than that. And they did. Still, that early design is fascinating to look at.
But that also goes in the opposite direction. When I look at the planes that just missed being frontline fighters and bombers, I can't help but be impressed at how primitive those planes were compared to the ones we are so familiar with. For example, the B-17 was ordered as a replacement for the B-10 (which was also the B-12, B-13, and B-14, but with different engines. The B-11 was a Douglas seaplane). Imagine if the B-10 had been all that was available to bomb Germany!
The B-10 had some noteworthy firsts, being the first bomber with monoplane, all-metal construction, enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, and an enclosed bomb bay. It was also faster than the pursuit fighters of its day (it first flew in 1932). Fortunately, the Army Air Corps recognized soon enough that a better plane was going to be needed, and the first B-17 was in the air in 1935.
If I recall rightly, the Bf-109 was also the owner of a whole slew of radical "firsts," and not just incremental improvements.
But here's another one that is even more interesting: The Grumman Wildcat was originally conceived as an all-metal biplane. Just imagine that thing leading the fight at Midway! But Grumman figured out in time that they had to do better than that. And they did. Still, that early design is fascinating to look at.
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