History’s Unique Aircraft

While a Northrop official described the Tacit Blue as one of the most unstable aircraft ever flown, its data aided in the development of several weapon systems.

Howard Hughes’ giant wooden seaplane took its first flight 75 years ago.

The Do-31 utilized the same main engines as the Harrier, complete with their own rotatable nozzles to control direction during vertical flight.

Resembling a composite, modernized version of the 1950s-era Bell X-14, the duPont Aerospace DP-2 failed to deliver on lofty promises.

The semi-tailless design helped iron out the problems of transonic flight.

How a World War II-era military transport became a go-to luxury airplane for large corporations.

The U.S. Army Air Forces took a gamble on this hodgepodge aircraft, which later proved to be a poor bet.

In 1960, entrepreneur George Wing teamed up with John Thorpe to create a compact, two-place twin. After experimenting with various engines, the team ultimately certified and produced this aircraft, the Wing Derringer.

The aircraft was not selected for a military contract, and we found out why.

The Piper PA-48 Enforcer was the meanest turboprop the company ever built.