Aviation Articles

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The challenge to replace the Spitfire and Hurricane: Supermarine twin fighters

When the time came to replace both the Hurricane and Spitfire, the Air Ministry had a very hard act to follow...

Vulcan and Victor - their mini delta precursors

Tony Buttler examines the scale test-beds that preceded the Victor and the Vulcan – and V-bombers that might have been

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Saluting TSR.2 - The Dream That Died

Mired in controversy to this day, the only thing certain about BAC’s fabled TSR.2 is that it never fulfilled its potential. Tony Buttler looks back at the ambitious project’s troubled past

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Playing it cool: why were annular radiators tested on the Typhoon and Tempest?

In trying to improve cooling on its liquid-cooled Sabre engine, Napier felt a different concept could work wonders

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VTOL pioneer: how the Short SC1 helped pave the way to the Harrier

Aeroplane’s Database focuses on the Short Brothers research aircraft that achieved a world first

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The ultimate Spitfire? Supermarine Spiteful and Seafang examined

Were these two Spitfire developments a step too far? In this month’s Aeroplane Database, Tony Buttler investigates

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Nord Gerfaut: France's daring delta-wing research aircraft

Tony Buttler reveals the outcome of one French company’s daring attempt to break into the world of delta-winged jet aircraft – Nord-Aviation’s Gerfaut

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Vixen Versus Javelin

The de Havilland Vixen might have been the RAF’s primary night fighter from the mid-1950s, rather than the Gloster Javelin, but 1952 would prove critical for the DH110

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DATABASE

BRITISH SWEPT-WING RESEARCH JETS 15 IN-DEPTH PAGESWhen...

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The Payen Pa 49

There’s niche, and then there’s niche. A very small — quite charming — and low-powered jet, intended as a delta-winged trainer. Is it any surprise that the Payen Pa 49 remained a one-off?