Originally Posted by
UAL T38 Phlyer
There was a book I used to check out at my local library when I was in high school that showed every bomber ever proposed. I think it went from B-1 (of 1920-era) to XB-70. Every proposal (fighter, bomber, transport) gets a number assigned. Of course, most of us only know the ones that at least made it to mock-up stage, or further.
IF you are prone to such, before you are in Washington the next time, call over to the Smithsonian and find out what is necessary to get a 'research card'. It used to be that you could just go there and call upstairs and they would let you come up. Many, if not most, are not aware upstairs is a great research library and along the hall going to that area is a glassed-in shelving where there are hundreds of wind-tunnel models. amazing stuff.
Not sure but I think when the MB.5 lost out, the counter-rotating prop on the Griffon did show up on the Spitfire XIV. The first solution was a five blade prop which was insufficient but beautiful. Note too the clipped wings.
They then went to the counter-rotating prop.
And then later comes the Westland Wyvern.
Even with the counter-rotating props, check out the size of the vertical fin, the rudder and the treatment on the horizontals.