If we're posting prototypes...
MiG-21? China has J-7 / F-7, though that is technically licence-built so I'm not sure it counts.I think this is the only plane that had been completely knocked off, like, ever.
Forgot the Chinese...MiG-21? China has J-7 / F-7, though that is technically licence-built so I'm not sure it counts.
Still love the F-16 XL (Extra Large) 'Cranked Arrow'
There was a novel series I read in the 80's or 90's that was post WW3. The main hero was a fighter pilot that used a Cranked Arrow.It lost out as a potential attack aircraft to the F-15E if I recall? As much as I do adore the F-15 series, would have loved to see this flying as an attack aircraft as well, damn it. (And in a parallel universe is, in a certain fictitious alternate history story I'm writing...)
@Tiamat
I REMEMBER!!!
They are the Wingman novels by Mack Maloney, and, of course, the hero's name is Hawk Hunter.
Original cover vs cover for current publishing run
Yes. It was a very impressive upgrade of the F-16, but the F-15E was simply better, especially in terms of flexibility since unlike the F-16XL, it isn’t limited to carrying a ludicrous number of 500 pound bombs.It lost out as a potential attack aircraft to the F-15E if I recall? As much as I do adore the F-15 series, would have loved to see this flying as an attack aircraft as well, damn it. (And in a parallel universe is, in a certain fictitious alternate history story I'm writing...)
I mean it looks cool, but don't you think there are limits to what a single engine aircraft with a pretty old airframe could do?Still love the F-16 XL (Extra Large) 'Cranked Arrow'
I mean it looks cool, but don't you think there are limits to what a single engine aircraft with a pretty old airframe could do?