Fantastic Plastic - X-Planes & Prototypes - 1950s

X-Planes & Prototypes - 1950s

The 1950s were the Golden Age of X-Planes. With the Cold War in full swing, the United States and the Soviet Union poured hundreds of millions of dollars (and rubles) into the conception, development and testing of all manner of imaginative experimental and combat aircraft. From planes with wings that changed position in flight to combination airplane/helicopters to VTOL "tail sitters" to flying jeeps, both superpowers were prepared to try anything that might give them even the slighted strategic or tactical advantage in the air.

Like most experiments in any field, the vast majority of 1950s-era X-Planes and prototypes failed to perform up to their creators' expectations. But enough was learned from even these magnificent failures to push aircraft development forward at a pace so swift that most planes were obsolete within days of making their maiden flights.