Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters

Book excerpt: Experimental and Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters examines the development of fighter airframes and engines since the end of World War II. The book covers each design that reached the hardware development stage and received an XF or YF designation from the Air Force. Sometimes the airframe/engine combination worked, as it did in the North American F-86 Sabre. Other times, technology failed, as it did in the Convair XP-92 ducted-rocket interceptor. In addition to the changing aerodynamic technologies, the evolution of offensive weapons for each evolution of fighter is also reviewed. Much of the data used in the book came from previously classified Air Force program documents. Dozens of never-before-seen photos highlight this review of Air Force fighter aircraft.