Aircraft: Post World War II

Click to view all Aircraft: Post World War II articles starting with the most recent.

Alexeyev KM rear Alexeyev KM Ekranoplan (Caspian Sea Monster) - In the early 1960s, Rostislav Alexeyev and the Soviet Union experimented with ekranoplan (wing-in-ground effect) vehicles. This work led to the KM (Korabl Maket), the longest and heaviest aircraft of its time.
Alexeyev A-90 Orlyonok top Alexeyev SM-6 and A-90 Orlyonok Ekranoplans - The A-90 Orlyonok was an ekranoplan (wing-in-ground effect) vehicle designed by Rostislav Alexeyev in the Soviet Union. Three production machines were built and served with the Soviet Navy in the 1980s.
Arsenal VB 10-02 under construction Arsenal VB 10 Heavy Interceptor Fighter - Started before WWII, the development of the French Arsenal VB 10 was delayed throughout the war. Powered by tandem-engines, the aircraft flew after WWII, but it was outperformed by other aircraft, especially jets.
CAC CA-15 Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-15 ‘Kangaroo’ - During WWII, Australia worked to create an indigenous fighter aircraft to compete with the best from other nations. The Commonwealth CA-15 achieved this goal but was completed too late to serve a useful roll.
CTA - ITA Heliconair Convertiplano drawing CTA / ITA Heliconair HC-I Convertiplano - Designed by Germans and built in Brazil using an American engine, British wings, and Swedish propellers, the CTA/ITA Heliconair Convertiplano tiltrotor VTOL aircraft was unique in many ways.
FMA IAe 30 Ñancú - The IAe 30 Ñancú was a high-performance, twin-engine fighter built in Argentina. First flown in 1948, the aircraft performed well and had much potential, but it was outclassed by jet aircraft.
Hawker Fury Sabre LA610 Hawker Fury I (Sabre-Powered) Fighter - At 483 mph (777 km/h), the Napier Sabre-powered Hawker Fury MK I was one of the fastest piston-powered aircraft ever built. First flown in 1946, the stunning Fury I never entered production.
Latecoere 631-03 Latécoère 631 Flying Boat Airliner - Conceived during the golden age of flying boats and delayed by WWII, the French Latécoère 631 arrived in the middle of the propliner era. A series of fatal accidents led to its withdrawal from service.
Lear-Fan-E001-and-E003-in-flight-side Lear Fan Limited LF 2100 - The Lear Fan Limited LF 2100 was a revolutionary, all-composite, twin-engine pusher, and it was Bill Lear’s last aircraft. Development of the Lear Fan proved too costly, and it was never certified by the FAA.
Lockheed-1249-R7V-2-in-flight-no-wing-tanks Lockheed Model 1249 Turboprop Super Constellation - The Lockheed Model 1249 was a turboprop-powered Super Constellation flown by the Navy as the R7V-2 and the Air Force as the C-121F. The aircraft tested turboprop engines, and only four were made.
Lun MD-160 Ekranoplan cruiser Lun-class / Spasatel Ekranoplans - The Soviet Lun-class ekranoplan was a missile-carrying, fast-attack craft built in the late 1980s. Only one machine was completed, but attempts were made to convert the design for Search and Rescue service.
Martin-XB-51-flight-top Martin XB-51 Attack Bomber - The Martin XB-51 was a unique, three-engine, swept-wing attack bomber built just after WWII. While its performance exceeded expectations, the aircraft was not selected for production due to shifting priorities.
Myasishchev M-50 bottom Myasishchev M-50 / M-52 Bounder - The Myasishchev M-50 was the Soviet’s counter to the supersonic B-58. First flown in 1959, the aircraft was never fitted with its intended engines. It was later cancelled along with the M-52 variant.
NAA XA2J Super Savage top North American XA2J Super Savage Medium Bomber - The North American XA2J Super Savage was a medium bomber designed for carrier operations. Competition from more capable aircraft and issues with its Allison T40 turboprop engines led to its cancellation.
Northrop YC-125 JATO Northrop N-23 Pioneer and N-32 / YC-125 Raider - In the late 1940s, Northrop built a utility trimotor to haul passengers and cargo in and out of short and undeveloped airfields. Put into production as the YC-125 Raider, only 23 were made.
Planet-Satellite-Farnborough-front Planet Satellite Light Aircraft - The Planet Aircraft Ltd Satellite was a post-war pusher monoplane constructed of magnesium. The aircraft’s structure proved to be weak, necessitating a redesign that was never undertaken.
Sikorsky S-56 (CH-37 Mojave/Deuce) Helicopter - In 1956, the Sikorsky S-56 (CH-37 Mojave/Deuce) was the largest and fastest military helicopter in the Western world. The R-2800-powered helicopter would eventually be outclassed by turbine-powered machines.
Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk airbrakes Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk Attack Helicopter - The Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk was a high-performance attack helicopter. A private venture for the company that impressed pilots and set speed records, the gunship failed to interest the US Army.
Sud-Est SE 580 cowling Sud-Est (SNCASE) SE 580 Fighter - Designed around a 24-cylinder engine, the French Sud-Est SE 580 fighter was one of the last piston engine fighters constructed; the jet age would leave the project unfinished.
Sud-Ouest (SNCASO) SO.8000 Narval - The French, post-WWII SO.8000 was intended to cover fighter, interceptor, and ground attack roles. First flown in 1949, the unique pusher fighter proved to be unstable and was outclassed by jet aircraft.