#fighter prototype

[usafphantom8]

The Miles M.35 Libellula first flew on May 1, 1942, exploring a tandem-wing design aimed at improving pilot visibility and carrier compatibility. Though the concept showed promise, it never progressed beyond the experimental stage. Read about this first and more historical aviation moments in our Today In Aviation History series on VintageAviationNew.com

@WarbirdsNews via X

[usafphantom2]

27 February 1945. First flight of the Curtiss XF15C. US mixed-propulsion (propeller and turbojet engines) fighter prototype.

@ron_eisele via X

[usafphantom8]

Birth of a Legend - Prototype Spitfire K5054 over Eastleigh 1936 by Michael Turner

@ron_eisele via X

[usafphantom8]

18 May 1936. Spitfire K5054 at Eastleigh. Note the additional hinged wheel covers, which were later abandoned, and the flush exhausts.

@ron_eisele via X

[usafphantom2]

de Havilland DH 108 "Swallow" was a British experimental aircraft similar to Me 163 Komet to evaluate swept wing handling characteristics at low and high subsonic speeds for the proposed early tailless design of the Comet airliner, three examples built. All crashed.

@CcibChris via X

[usafphantom2]

#Sukhoi SU-47 and #Grumman

X-29

@Fiona75975939 via X

[usafphantom2]

#Sukhoi SU-47 Berkut

@Fiona75975939 via X

[usafphantom2]

#onthisday in 1936 the Spitfire prototype made its first flight, which lasted eight minutes. Captain Joseph Summers was the pilot.

“Don't touch anything” was said by Captain Summers at the end of the flight.

@classicwarbirds via X