X-planes 17 Mcdonnell Xp-67 Moonbat Paperback

Description

Packed with never-before-seen photos, plans and meticulous new digital artwork,this is the first history of the USAAF's futuristic World War II prototype interceptor,the XP-67 "Moonbat".DescriptionPacked with never-before-seen photos, plans and meticulous new digital artwork,this is the first history of the USAAF's futuristic World War II prototype interceptor,the XP-67 "Moonbat".The series of Xplanesthat sprang from the US Army’s Request for Data R40C, focusedon high-altitude, high-speed, long-range bomber interceptors. Among these aircraft wasthe McDonnell Aircraft Company’s first ever clean sheet design, the XP67. Its futuristiclines promised performance that it was ultimately unable to deliver, but developmentwas still underway when disaster struck. Just before Army performance demonstrationflights were scheduled to begin, an engine fire destroyed the only XP-67 prototype,leaving a host of unanswered questions about what might have been, and leading todecades of continuing fascination with the XP-67 among aviation buffs and aircraftmodelers.The authors of this book have uncovered new sources of information and a wealth ofphotographs and line drawings that document not just the XP-67 but also its immediateprecursors within the McDonnell Aircraft design community, as well as alternativeconfigurations for unbuilt variants aimed at different missions. Packed with unpublishedphotos of all stages of construction including key airframe changes made after initialflight tests, showing in detail how the final configuration was evolved, this volume finallyprovides clear focus on a story that has long been shrouded in mystery.Sales and Marketing HighlightsThe futuristic XP-67 fighter was the first aircraft designed by McDonnell, whichpost-war would be renowned for its fighters such as the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle.There has been little published on this spectacular aircraft, making this booka real must-have for anyone interested in American World War II fighterdevelopment.Written by a former McDonnell senior engineer and a USAF military journalist,and based on a wealth of original McDonnell and US government reports.