Which prototype should have made it?

[GroundZero]

There have been a long line of prototype aircraft that have been developed and flown as demonstrators over the years, but which one that got canned do you think should have made it?

For me I put forward the F16-XL:




This aircraft had a double-delta wing design that meant it could carry much more fuel than the F16 and also much more weapons due to many additional hard-point weapon stations. So this placed it as a strike aircraft rather than pure dogfighter.
As such its competition was the F15-E, and that is some airplane to have to compete against.

A proven airframe of the F15 up against a new design in the F16-XL, and the winner was the F15-E.
But I do think that the F16-XL could have had its place, as an alternative strike aircraft within the USAF or with foreign air forces.
It would have been a good multi-role airframe that would have undoubtedly been cheaper to operate than the F15-E.

Any other prototypes that you guys think should have made it?

[scrw.]

TSR2, if built would the Tornado been developed?

[FourWheelDrift]

The Hawker Siddeley P.1154 supersonic fighter that became the subsonic Harrier and the Saunders-Roe SR.53/SR.177.

[andy97]

FourWheelDrift said:

The Hawker Siddeley P.1154 supersonic fighter that became the subsonic Harrier and the Saunders-Roe SR.53/SR.177.

P1154 never reached the prototype stage and it didn’t become the Harrier. The P1127 became the Kestrel and subsequently developed in to the Harrier GR1.
P1127 pre-dated P1154.

Edited by andy97 on Thursday 1st April 16:33

[zasker]

Have to admit I’d never heard of the F16XL and due to today’s date had to google it to check!

[Yertis]

Martin Baker MB-5.

[Eric Mc]

I think the Avro Arrow should have been proceeded with -

[Boom78]

scrw. said:

TSR2, if built would the Tornado been developed?

Luckily the tonka did get built because despite the love for it, the mythical performance (on paper/theory) and it being British the TSR2 was a dog

[horseshoecrab]

Short SA.4 Sperrin just because it looks so freaking cool

Edited by horseshoecrab on Thursday 1st April 19:23

[CobolMan]

F-20 Tigershark for me, always had a soft spot for the F-5. MB-5 is a good shout too.

[Harrison Bergeron]

YF-23

[Stick Legs]

Never got to the prototype stage but this is so cool it should be included:
Avro 730.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_730

[Stick Legs]

The XB-70 Valkyrie.

[texaxile]

horseshoecrab said:

Short SA.4 Sperrin just because it looks so freaking cool

Edited by horseshoecrab on Thursday 1st April 19:23

Wow, that is an absolutely stunning Aircraft.

[GliderRider]

Grumman X-29. Not that it was ever meant to go in to production, but it just looks so, dare I say it, cool.

[Eric Mc]

Stunning if you are a fan of bricks.
It was a “fall back” position if the V Bombers turned out to be duds,

[Kawasicki]

Stick Legs said:

The XB-70 Valkyrie.

I`m digging that!

[Skyrocket21]

I'm going to throw in the Saunders-Roe SR.53, an experimental interceptor, which would have become the slightly different SR.177.
Likely should not have been put into production, I love the rocket and jet concept though and mach 2.2 top speed.






I wonder if the Bloodhound used some of the SR.53 as it's inspiration even the vertical stabiliser, maybe!

[Tango13]

Kawasicki said:

Stick Legs said:

The XB-70 Valkyrie.

I`m digging that!

The folding wing 'tips' were each as big as the wing of a B-58!

[clarky92]

Sukhoi su-47





Build as a technology demonstrator so doesn’t really count, but just look at it! I think the paint scheme does help it look rather sinister.

Edited by clarky92 on Thursday 1st April 21:45