When still a young boy in about '59 my dad got me on the tarmac at Travis AFB to stand under one of these. The wing edges were so sharp they were covered with guards to protect the ground crews. Pilots jumped at the chance to fly Mach 2 in a Mach 1 world. Classic Kelly Johnson inspiration of pure speed.
The supersonic stiletto.
ReplyDeleteThey had a flame-out problem and 0 glide ratio.
ReplyDeleteAnd early models ejected down.
DeleteWhen still a young boy in about '59 my dad got me on the tarmac at Travis AFB to stand under one of these. The wing edges were so sharp they were covered with guards to protect the ground crews. Pilots jumped at the chance to fly Mach 2 in a Mach 1 world. Classic Kelly Johnson inspiration of pure speed.
ReplyDeletedidn't the luftwaffe call these the widowmakers?
ReplyDeleteCentury Series.
ReplyDeletePure badassery squared.
Revell models were as close as I ever got...