What's your favorite "what if"?

[Dan K]

Although a fan of all things warbird, I must admit a special affection for the one-offs and might've beens: Those craft that never made it to full production.

Among those which have made my personal "A" list is the Republic XP-69 (Don't bother searching for pics, as it never got past a 3/4 mock-up stage).



The XP-69 was another example of designing an airplane around a radical prototype engine: The six-row, 42-cylinder, water-cooled Wright R-2160 (Yup, that's "R" as in radial). And just in case the motor doesn't completely yank your chain, the planned armament was a pair of .50 caliber and a 37mm cannon in each wing. Oo-Rah!!

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/allie ... f/xp69.htm


OK guys, now that I've bared my soul to the inevitable ridicule of thousands, it's your turn to step up and be counted. What's your favorite "what if"? If you're able, try to put into words the reason why this particular craft/oddball grabs you. You're certainly welcome to jump on the XP-69 bandwagon (as if there wasn't enough room ).

[retroaviation]

Unfortunately, this one never got past the drawing board stages either.........




Gary

[Nathan]

Hi Dan,

Cool thread. Mine would be the Curtiss XP-60. All versions of it but I like the straight XP-60 the most. I like it cause you can see the P-40 in it. Beefed up P-40 would be a better term. I just like the looks of it. Too bad Curtiss could not be more successful with some of these would have loved to see what it would have done in combat.

The XP-60:


The YP-60E looks very modern and looks fast. A fat radial and a small body...what more could you ask for? This thing is bitchin'!!!


The XP-60C with Counter rotating props!! Wow!!

[Nathan]

oh shoot I'll post this one too!


No pic but the Fisher P-75! Talk about a weird one! hahaha

[Dan K]

Almost forgot...

The one & only surviving R-2160 Tornado.

http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/ ... oR2160.htm

http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/ ... oR2160.htm

http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/ ... ernals.htm

http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/ ... oR2160.htm

[sdennison]

C'mon Dan, where'd you get the elephant...

But seriously, that engine needs a much bigger prop. Man, can you imagine the maintenance plan for that puppy. What an idea though.

Reminds me of a Formula One engine, the H-16. Two flat, opposed eights, stacked on top of each other, 1.5L displacement (90 cubes if my memory serves me), 4 valves per cylinder. Imagine that turning 16,000 RPM. Adjust the valves, anyone?

[oz rb fan]

these are my favorites

j7w1

ki83

republic xf-12

[gregv]

Merlins in a Whirlwind, although from what I understand the airframe was too slight too accommodate them.

How about the later fully-developed Allisons in a P-38?


greg v.

[k5083]

Focke-Wulf (Tank) Ta 154.

Supermarine S.327.

August

Last edited by k5083 on Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JBoyle]

how about CONUS-based B-36s bombing Nazi occupied Europe (probably including the UK) circa 1948?
Escorts would have been in short supply since fighters couldn't match the range of the bombers.

Carrier-based escorts? USAAF planes based in North Africa or Iceland?

[Clifford Bossie]

Well, since you asked....

How about if the B-60 actually made it into production.

My favourite "what if" is what if I won $50 000 000 and hired Gary Austin to be my disgustingly overpaid crew chief...

[retroaviation]

My favourite "what if" is what if I won $50 000 000 and hired Gary Austin to be my disgustingly overpaid crew chief...

Well, that'd be a good start anyway.

Thanks for the nice thought though.

Gary

[Shay]

My what-if is that F-47 Thunderbolts were used in Korea instead of the mustang.





Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Shay]

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis