The joy of x
Experimental Aircraft of the West 1942-2002
With the X denoting ‘experimental’, the ‘X’ planes would come to be defined as machines of progress, of envelope pushing and of unknown danger.
As development of post war technology advanced, spurred by threats both real and imagined, engineers and designers imaginations ran wild in their quest to conquer the skies.
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With over 50 unique designs spanning 60 years of experimental aviation, The Joy of X is an X-Plane project unlike any other. Showcasing original photographic imagery of museum-preserved airframes combined with digital-recreations of those lost to history or never built, each image has been digitally restored and enhanced to document and celebrate the visual history of experimental aviation design.
Chapter I. Early Icons
X1 through to X-5 and beyond, the genesis of X-designated rocket and jet propelled aviation starts here…
Chapter II. The Quest for Speed
Higher. Faster. Further. The need of the postwar period, was speed.
Chapter III. The British Legacy
A nation of bright minds facing staring down the barrel of budget cuts.
“The world’s first aircraft to go supersonic, rows of gleaming delta wing fighters and fighter bombers, developments of the hunter in production in the seventies, and Anglo-German rocket-plus turbojet fighter and TSR-2 as the most powerful air weapon in Europe. These are just a few of the fascinating pictures conjured up when one considers what might have been had Britain been blessed with commonsense and a real aviation policy from world war 2 onwards.”
Derek Wood, ‘Wings Clipped and Cancelled’ 1976
Chapter IV. VTOL Visions
Never before did a performance requirement so seemingly simple, prove to be quite so challenging.
Chapter V. Weird Wings and Airborne Oddities
Aviation’s most curious creatures
Chapter VI. Lifting Bodies
The curious craft which paved the way to the space shuttle
Chapter VII. And Into Space
When experimental meant leaving the earths atmosphere.
