NorthAmericanAviation

August 1959: Martin P6M SeaMaster The P6M Seamaster was the last aircraft built by Martin before ICBM’s became the weapon platform of choice for long range attacks. This Aircraft was designed during the Height of SAC (Strategic Air Command) influence, intended to convoy with submarines and patrol boats to set up mobile bases with the idea that they would be hard to track. This aircraft made stunning first impressions; it was 50 feet longer than its predecessor, the P5M, and outweighed the massive Mars by 25 tons! Its slender hull/fuselage and T-tail made it iconic, and instantly recognizable, along with a pronounced anhedral wing, used to rest pontoons on the water. Initially intended to use a Curtiss-Wright turbo-ramjet prototype for a powerplant, Martin instead used Allison J-71’s, which were lacking in power and due to their placement would scorch and damage the aft section of fuselage. Later, the P6M-2 used Pratt & Whitney J-75-T-2 engines, outputting 17,500 ft/lbs of thrust each, totaling 70,000 ft-lbs of gross thrust using four engines in pods of two, each pod exhaust now angled outboard 5 degrees. The original Seamasters beached with an external set of pontoons, which could deploy their own landing gear once attached. Taxiing tests on open waters revealed that the hull WAS indeed strong enough to endure six to nine-foot swells. First liftoff occurred on July 14th, 1955 over the Chesapeake Bay. The Seamaster was the first aircraft designed to maintain high speed at sea-level altitude. The bomb bay (not modeled) is sealed by air pressure, making it watertight. An initial order of 30 aircraft was placed, but supplying the aircraft with fuel and armament proved difficult, and soon the orders dwindled. Additionally, the rise of the ICBM meant that long-range nuclear attacks no longer required a separate carrier aircraft. This lead to the end of the contract, and Martin sought development in long-range missile technology, leaving aircraft design and engineering behind. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 132 Mass: 55.9 Tons Crew: 2 Service Ceiling: 12km Powerplant: 4x Panther Top Speed: 175 m/s Level Flight Dimensions: 34.2 x 29.4 x 8.6 LWH Takeoff Procedure: Full throttle, flaps optional. Rotate around 40m/s. [Normally I use Hyper-Edit to get the thing in the water, given its lack of Landing Gear] Landing procedure: Flaps down/engaged, vertical speed < -10m/s, forward speed < 65m/s. I have made it to 270m/s in a steep dive, and left plenty of fuel reserves for long-duration flights NOTE: Controls are rather sensitive, given the combination of a very forward center of lift and an anhedral wing. Action Groups: “1” toggles afterburner, “2” toggles flaps Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Martin-P6M-Seamaster Tomorrow's Craft: North American T-2 Buckeye

December 1958: North American F-108 Rapier The North American F-108 project was a sister project to the XB-70 Mach 3+ bomber, supposedly designed to be an escort. The design of the aircraft was highly advanced for the time of its conception, and even though the program was cancelled in 1959, the gathered data were used in the design of the A-5 Vigilante to give it more favorable supersonic flight characteristics. (Image from Boeing) Because the Rapier was developed jointly with the Valkyrie, it shared similarities in crucial build aspects, such as its power-plant: the Rapier used two YJ-93 jet engines, a third the count of its bomber/research counterpart. If the thrust-to-weight rating of 5:1 in the Valkyrie is any measure, this design of engine certainly had a lot of potential. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 85 Mass: 26.4 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 26km Powerplant: 2x Whiplash Top Speed: 1370 m/s Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.9 x 6.3 This replica is slightly down scaled and has touchy controls, but is very capable in both altitude and speed, reaching 30,000m apogee after flame-out. Otherwise, super cruise at around 20,000m is ideal, at up to top speed. ‘Caps Lock controls’ recommended once supersonic, does not take well to rolls, might make a re-release with additional vertical stabilizers not shown here. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/North-American-XF-108-Rapier Tomorrow's Craft: Convair F-106 Delta Dart

Thanks! Also--- here's a short article: http://www.aerofiles.com/tiger-tail.html that is a heck of a story, all things considered...

September 1956: North American F-107A 'Ultra Sabre' The F-107, nicknamed Ultra Sabre, is the final evolution of the military track of Sabre aircraft from North American. Generally regarded positively, it lost the contract to the F-105 either through the fate of politics, or perhaps by being the ‘right plane at the wrong time’. Either way, most signs pointed to it being a better-handling plane, lacking only in bomb-armament. The F-107’s performance was indeed superior, due to the fact that it stemmed from an evolution of design alterations instead of being an entirely new plane altogether, as the Thunderchief was. It should be noted that project pilot Bob Baker thought this was a fine-handling aircraft. (In-Flight and Tri-Orthogonal View) The use of antiquated conventional 500lb bombs in Vietnam is likely what caused the F-107 to lose out, because it was not intended to be retrofitted with conventional payloads, unlike the Thunderchief, which had provisions for wing-mounted bomb triplets. Both aircraft were designed, primarily, to deliver a Nuke Can bomb, the F-107 using a ‘lobbing’ technique, by dropping the bomb in the midst of an intense high speed pull-up. Despite the Top-mounted intake appearing to be aft of a low-pressure zone which could have caused air starvation to the engine, this did not happen due to how forward it was in relation to the fuselage-disturbed air. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 52 Mass: 8.1 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 16km Powerplant: 1x Panther Top Speed: 335 m/s Dimensions: 11.0 x 7.8 x 4.2 LWH The “Ultra Sabre” was the first to employ a Variable Area Intake Duct (VAID), which regulated the volume of air entering the engine, a Pratt and Whitney J75-P-9, for more efficient and powerful combustion. The VAID system saw further use on the A-5, XB-70, and the design of the F-108. As previously mentioned, the F-107 proved very capable in flight, being able to perform rolls in supersonic flight, as well as reach Mach 2+. For a prototype aircraft, the F-107 was remarkably well-polished. Air brakes are not replicated on this model, flaps do the job just fine. “1” cycles afterburner, “2” toggles intake diverter. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/North-American-F-107-Ultra-Sabre Tomorrow's Craft: Vought F8U Crusader

May 1956: Grumman F-11 Tiger (expect a remake of this craft) Designed in the 1950’s, the Tiger is a carrier-based fighter aircraft built for the US Navy. Among its peers of the time, was somewhat out of place, as it landed hot for a carrier-based plane. It was replaced by the F-8 Crusader. The idea for this aircraft began as an update for the F9F-6/7/8 series as the XF9F-9, but developed into a totally different aircraft, implementing an area-rule fuselage for more stable supersonic flight. It lived a short 11-year U.S. Navy service life from 1956 to 1967, and served as Blue Angels demonstration planes until 1969. Top speed was 727mph, or 325m/s. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 24 Mass: 8.4 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 23km Powerplant: 1x Panther Top Speed: Lo Alt: 350m/s Hi Alt: 823m/s Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.9 x 4.3 LWH This version can do well over the proper/real top speed, making its supersonic flight characteristics more akin to the F-11-1F Super Tiger, which was a similar air-frame with a GE J-79 wedged in it as opposed to a Wright J-65 in regular Tigers. This model is physically alike and holds speed in a turn, maintaining 6 gees all day. the high altitude characteristics in this replica are a bit--well--optimistic. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Grumman-F-11-Tiger Tomorrow's Craft: North American F-107 Ultra Sabre

April 1956: Douglas F4D Skyray The F4D Skyray was built in response to a U.S. Navy requirement, circa 1947, for an interceptor that could climb to 50,000 feet in 5 minutes. The product was a beautifully flowing smooth-sided delta wing aircraft that served for only 8 years. Its namesake, of course, is a manta ray, due to its unique appearance. An advanced, lengthened, and more powerful design called the F5D "Skylancer" had been planned as a continuation. until 1970, two NASA owned F5D's were used for testing an 'ogival' wing and training pilots to fly the cancelled X-20. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 39 Mass: 11.75 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 23km Powerplant: 1x Whiplash Top Speed: Low Alt:350m/s Hi Alt: 1135m/s Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.9 x 3.7 The Skyray had a max speed of 722mph, or 322 m/s. This model has a similar top speed at low altitude and similar handling characteristics. It is a good candidate for a dedicated interceptor. Because of my engine choice, you can also super-cruise at 800m/s at up to 23,000m. Whoops. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Douglas-F4D-Skyray Tomorrow's Craft: Convair F-102 Delta Dagger

Testing and troubleshooting versions of my WB-57F with high altitude formation flights: so far, so good, this craft is designed with the sole purpose of flying high and carrying instruments--- (from NASA Johnson) I like this classical approach to high altitude---two times the wing area of the B-57B. This craft was so stable, in fact, i was able to touch down with both ships simultaneously!

March 1956: McDonnell F3H Demon The McDonnell F3H Demon is an all-weather missile-armed interceptor that served alongside the Vought F8U and Grumman F11F in similar daytime roles (this version is unarmed). Like the F8U, it was withdrawn from service Before The Vietnam War to make way for the F-4 Phantom II, a comparatively superior plane, despite its initial armament consisting of only missiles. In its 8 year service life, it managed no kills, but did gain the nickname lead sled thanks to its poor power-to-weight ratio as so many aircraft had been dubbed before. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 32 Mass: 10.5 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 14km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 200 m/s Dimensions: 13.8 x 9.5 x 4.2 LWH This model's visuals do lack a bit---it was an early build, but the flight characteristics are closer to life, the lack of power 'faithfully' recreated. The top speed recorded here is in sustained level flight; a dive will definitely boost this number. If I do a proper craft showcase, you may see a remake of this craft. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/McDonnell-F3H-Demon Tomorrow's Craft: Douglas F4D Skyray

Took a quick peek at that, sounds cool! Yes, you can certainly use all of my planes, just give credit where due, of course---for me, just throw in a link to https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation. On another note, -I think you would really enjoy the book, "The Right Stuff," by Tow Wolfe, it's a very good read and captures the spirit of the pioneering era of rocket and jet engine technology from around 1945 to the late 60's -here's something cool to listen to that I've always wanted to share: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Wild_Weasel_mission_5_November_1967 Very interesting missions, Wild Weasel F-105G's. Might aid in developing a Cold-War vibe in your writings, I just think it's cool

Aint no way in heck they're going to be dead-on all the time. Fortunately, I can slow down and focus more on the nitty-gritty part of getting both looks and performance since my craft-posting schedule for this thread is now slower, *whew.* I will admit, though, some of them were afternoon builds, so I won't turn a blind eye to the 'critique.' This next one should satisfy, though. June 1954: Douglas A4D Skyhawk The A4D Skyhawk is a mainly carrier-based attack aircraft, heralded as a huge success due to the air-frames longevity and its ability to be assigned to many a different task. The service career of the A-4 has been quite diverse; in 1954, it began with the U.S. Navy as a primary attack aircraft, and continued to serve as an attack and as a trainer aircraft until 2003. More recent combat/non-historical service retirements have been from the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in 2015, and the Argentine Air Force (AAF) in 2016. The USMC, USN, IAF, and AAF still use the plane in historical demos. The A-4’s first major conflict involvement was in Vietnam, where it served as the Navy’s primary light attack aircraft, as intended. After and during the Vietnam War era, the A-4 was adapted into a trainer, due to its very pilot-friendly nature in all regards. It would later become a long-term Blue Angels plane, replacing the F-4 Phantom II until 1980, when McDonnell-Douglas' F-18 Hornet became available. Tough, agile, cheap, and easy to maintain, the A-4’s popularity remains high because of how Versatile, adaptable, and refined its initial design was. Most of the world recognizes the iconic shape of the A-4, specifically Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and The United States, which all had or have A-4’s in some form of military service. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 63 Mass: 9.5 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 13km Powerplant: 1x Panther Top Speed: 330 m/s Dimensions: 11.4 x 7.9 x 4.3 LWH This replica is about 7/8 scale, very close to life-size dimensions, and handles well. it takes wing-mounted armament well, but lacks in range. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/McDonnell-Douglas-A4D-Skyhawk Tomorrow's Craft: North American F-100 Super Sabre

July 1953: Martin B-57 Canberra Initially produced by English Electric, Martin (of USA) purchased the rights to produce the Canberra under license, and so they did. Over the years, the American design developed more domestic traits, as seen in the B-57D and NASA-General Dynamics WB-57F, which both have much more wing area by means of using greater length instead of a greater chord. In the case of the WB-57F, the wing area is more than double that of the B-57B. The B-57 saw 31 years of continuous use from 1954 to 1983, and in its later years developed into the RB-57D, when the air-frame was shown to have great potential for high altitude reconnaissance flight. Today, there are three WB-57F aircraft still flying with NASA, hosting first and third party atmospheric research equipment for various companies. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 68 Mass: 14.8 Tons Crew: 2 Service Ceiling: 9.5km Powerplant: 6x Juno Top Speed: 300 m/s Dimensions: 13.5 x 12.5 x 4.2 This model is, of course, the B-57B, the later RB-57D and WB-57F will follow this one over on https://kerbalx.com/ Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Martin-B-57B-Canberra Tomorrow's Craft: Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

October 1952: Douglas A3D Skywarrior The Douglas A3D Skywarrior was originally conceived as a nuclear bomber in the early 1950’s, but adapted well as the demands made of the air-frame changed. It enjoyed a substantial service life of 35 years between 1956 and 1991. Because of its utilitarian usefulness. it was used extensively for refueling, bombing, reconnaissance, and electrical intelligence gathering (ELINT) in the U.S. Military. It saw widespread use in Vietnam alongside its bombing-outfitted derivative, the B-66 Destroyer, further recon use in cold war conflicts, and, amazingly enough, extended service as the EA-3 in the beginning phases of the Persian Gulf War and operation Desert Storm. After its service career with the military ended in 1991, many air-frames continued then ongoing use with defense contractors and weapons system developers as test-beds for F-14 and F-111B radar electronics systems. Hughes Aircraft was the main proprietor of these A-3’s, but Westinghouse and Raytheon also owned and modified these craft. Builder: NAA Part Count: 70 Mass: 15.6 Tons Crew: 3 Service Ceiling: 7.5km Powerplant: 6x Juno Top Speed: 240 m/s Dimensions: 15.0 x 13.7 x 5.3 LWH This model is big and heavy, true to life, and a good candidate for all its previously mentioned roles. long distances are a yes, high speeds and fighter-plane maneuverability are a no. 298 m/s can be reached in a steep dive. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Douglas-A3D-Skywarrior Tomorrow's Craft: Convair F2Y Sea Dart

September 1949: Grumman F9F-2 Panther (Timeline Throwback!) Grumman’s F9F-2 Panther was the company’s first jet-fighter, and a design that they would modify heavily into the F9F-6 Cougar, adding swept wings. For a straight-winged first generation fighter, the Panther enjoyed a long service life, beginning with the U.S. Navy in September 1949 and ending extended service with Argentina in 1969. The straight-wing iterations of the F9F designation include the experimental XF9F-2, -3, and -4, and production models F9F-2, -2B, -2P, F9F-3, F9F-4, F9F-5, -5P, -5K, -5KD(DF-9E after 1962). Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 49 Mass: 6.7 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 14km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 303 m/s Dimensions: 10.0 x 10.8 x 3.7 LWH This model Handles well, has excellent climb characteristics, and is easy to take off in and land with. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Grumman-F9F-2-Panther September 1951: Grumman F9F-6 Cougar The US Navy’s first swept-wing fighter. This aircraft had a respectable service life of 22 years serving as a carrier-based fighter, as well as with the Blue Angels Demonstration team. Its heritage as an evolution of the Panther is evident, with the fuselage shape being very similar, and flight characteristics enhanced. Additionally, it set a transcontinental speed record of 3 hours and 45 minutes on April 1, 1954. Replica Statistics: Builder: NAA Part Count: 36 Mass: 6.4 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 13.5km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 330 m/s Dimensions: 10.0 x 9.6 x 3.7 LWH This model has great low to mid-speed control response, cutting corners in the air as if on rails, max speed is barely subsonic, similar to reality. The aircraft also exhibits low stall speeds, around 35 m/s. It is very carrier-friendly. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Grumman-F9F-8-Cougar Tomorrow's Craft: Douglas A-3 Skywarrior & B-66 Destroyer

July 1951: Vought F7U Cutlass The Vought F7U Cutlass was a semi-tailless design, in fact, the final design from Vought engineer Rex Beisel, who had also designed the U.S. Navy’s first fighter in 1922. The Cutlass earned a bad reputation due to the under-powered nature and poor reliability of the two J-35’s used in the design, and was relatively scarce, serving from 1951 to 1959 with only 320 examples produced. An all-weather variant was proposed, but the fact that the engines tended to flame out in rain killed this vision quickly. Supposedly, the design was derived from techniques and models from the German Arado company, although Vought denied any ties. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 58 Mass: 7.4 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 12.5km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 303 m/s Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.0 x 3.8 LWH This replica can take off at a very carrier-friendly 25 m/s, and has an incredibly short landing roll, if approach is done with a high angle of attack. Otherwise, it handles very well, turning sharply and having good albeit subsonic straight-line speed. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Vought-F7U-Cutlass Tomorrow's Craft: Grumman F9F-2/3/4/5 Panther & F9F-6/7/8 Cougar

But if we did have a flat "runway"... Of course, Kerbin's north and south poles are essentially this, but Dryden FRS / Rogers Dry Lake and dry lakes in general have such a mystique...

February 1950: Douglas F3D Skyknight The Douglas F3D Skyknight, later re-designated F-10, is an all-weather night-fighter, serving with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from 1951 to 1970. In Vietnam, it served as a ground-attack aircraft and was directly succeeded in all roles by the Grumman A-6 Intruder. Its history also spans the korean war, and seeing heavy service with the USMC and ELINT (electronic intelligence) gathering. In Vietnam, the side-by-side observation cockpit made operations of the Electronic Warfare Officer easier, in spite of the antiquated equipment (Special thanks to @XB-70A for providing me some of that info over on KerbalX) Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 44 Mass: 10.5 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 9100m Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 295 m/s Dimensions: 9.7 x 10.4 x 3.4 LWH This replica is a great low-level flyer, taking turns at a slow and controllable pace, and has good cockpit visibility, as well. For me, it's a good observation plane, just as intended! Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Douglas-F3D-Skynight Tomorrow's Craft: Lockheed F-94 Starfire

December 1949: F-86D/K/L Sabre-Dog (or YF-95) The F-86D Sabre-Dog was the first major variant of the Sabre, sharing only 25% parts commonality with its scoop-nose brother. The F-86D series would see extensive use in the U.S. National Guard and for export to other countries, such as Italy, former Yugoslavia, and Venezuela The fuselage, in comparison to the F-86F, is longer and slightly taller. Of course, it also has a dog-nose. For the later "K" model, Fiat became a licensed builder, assembling 221 F-86K's Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 39 Mass: 8.05 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 13km Powerplant: 1x Panther Top Speed: 348 m/s Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 3.8 LWH Performance on this replica is good, being able to hit nearly 350 m/s in a steep dive, and flying trans-sonic at level pitch. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/North-American-F-86D-Sabre-Dog January 1950: YF-93 The YF-93 is a much-evolved Sabre, originally a design called F-86C which housed a larger afterburning engine. One could call it an ‘intermediate step’ between the F-86 and F-100, competing in the same trials that the XF-88 Voodoo won, even though the YF-93 received the contract. Much like most prototypes of this age, it was designed in the midst of rapid technological advancement, and was out of place by the time it was being produced. Research found that, at high angles of attack, the NACA-style intake ducts restricted airflow, causing loss of power. NACA used the two prototypes as chase planes for various programs until they were both scrapped. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 44 Mass: 13.4 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 10km Powerplant: 1x Panther Top Speed: 316 m/s Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.8 x 3.8 LWH This design was an early application of area-rule fuselage, as well, which made trans-sonic flight slightly more stable than its distant predecessors. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/North-American-YF-93 Tomorrow's Craft: Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor

further development of a turboprop: Thanks to helicopter Jesus @Azimech's advice, it now spools up to much higher speeds with less throttle. Also flew the Chakora around for a bit, examined design, too. Here is a second design, one I'd like to expand upon more because it has the potential to be powerful, yet have a short/small radius. I plan to develop this in to something i can use to power replicas of Lockheed Electras, C-133's, etc. it does alright, as well, but the low-profile radius does pose the design challenge of how I should go about putting power to the shaft. still just using a dummy prop, too, very inefficient---gotta tackle one plateau at a time!

Glad to see that helped! I'm prototyping turbine/turboprop engines as small as they'll go, should probably look at other designs but this one is running nicely:

August 1948: McDonnell F2H Banshee McDonnell’s F2H Banshee began as a follow-on to the FH Phantom program, already on the drawing board before the FH was being produced. Its design was thoroughly revised; fitting more powerful Westinghouse J-34’s to the wing-mounted engine nacelles, strengthening the fuselage, adding fuel capacity, and eliminating the profound dihedral of the tail surface were all parts of revision. It had, for its time, an astonishing climb rate of around 9,000 ft/min / 2743 m/min, twice that of the piston-engined aircraft it replaced. The Banshee enjoyed a fair service life of 14 years, last serving in 1962 with the Royal Canadian Navy. The basic design/aesthetics of the Banshee would later be used in early development stages of the XF-88/F-101 Voodoo. The initial concept for the Voodoo was similar in theory to the way Grumman applied a swept wing to the F9F Panther, but the design eventually evolved far beyond that of Grumman’s. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 71 Mass: 12.3 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 11km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 311 m/s Dimensions: 13.0 x 12.9 x 4.9 LWH this replica is fast for a straight-wing design and handles well. It also has plenty of range; circumnavigation is possible. Version shown here is the F2H-2P, with an elongated nose for photo-reconnaissance. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/McDonnell-F2H-2-Banshee Tomorrow's Craft: Convair B-36 Peacemaker and XF-85 Goblin/parasite Fighter

March 1948: Curtiss F-87 Blackhawk The Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk was built as a replacement for the P-61 "Black Widow" night/all-weather interceptor. However, the contract with the USAF was terminated with Curtiss-Wright when Northrop’s F-89 "Scorpion" demonstrated better airworthiness and role suitability. This deal-breaker sunk the company, all assets were purchased by North American. The F-87 was slower than expected, and quite large, as well, but had a ‘respectable’ 1000-mile range. Because of the low power/thrust issue, a plan to upgrade the four Westinghouse XJ34's to two GE J47's during production was proposed, but by that time, the better Northrop design was already ordered and in testing. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 81 Mass: 20 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 10km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 302 m/s Dimensions: 16.4 x 17.2 x 6.2 LWH This model is slightly undersized and appropriately slow, but is fairly maneuverable. Top speed in chart is in a steep dive, level cruise is around 150 m/s. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/Curtiss-F-87-Blackhawk Tomorrow's Craft: North American B-45 Tornado

October 1947: North American F-86 Sabre The North American F-86 Sabre was one of the first aircraft to employ both leading edge-slats and a swept wing. This particular design of wing became known as the Sabre Aerofoil, and saw use in the designs of the F-100, F-107, and commercial "Sabreliner" biz-jet. The F-86 has an astonishing history; the first jet fighter North American ever made, the FJ-1 "Fury", would lay the groundwork for the coming series of developments leading to the proper F-86, despite how primitive it was in comparison. Several records would be broken by the F-86, including speed records once held by advanced research aircraft purely designed for high speed flight, such as the X-1 and Navy D-558-I. As it aged, the Sabre saw countless re-designations and design enhancements, including the F-86D/K/L "Sabre Dog" with a radome-nose and under-mounted intake scoop, the FJ-4 Fury, which had an entirely different wing, and the XF-93 proposal, which was very dissimilar to any other Sabre variant. Because of its pilot-friendly nature, relatively good agility, and platform versatility, the Sabre and its subsequent variants would see extensive service worldwide, finally being withdrawn from modern combat service in 1994(Bolivia). Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 58 Mass: 7.7 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 14km Powerplant: 1x Panther Top Speed: 285 m/s Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.8 x 3.7 LWH This model is a bit slow, but handles well and is very easy to recover from all types of spins. It also constitutes the FJ-2/3, the most major change being a lengthened front landing gear for greater angle of attack during carrier takeoff. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/North-American-F-86-Sabre Tomorrow's Craft: Republic F-84 Thunderjet

August 1947: McDonnell FH Phantom The McDonnell FH Phantom was an early subsonic fighter-jet, being test flown just as World War II was coming to a close. As it was McDonnell’s first successful jet fighter, it established their name as a supplier of military aircraft for years to come, and proved the viability of a carrier-borne jet fighter. Its development lead to the F2H Banshee, a widely successful plane that saw combat service in the Korean War. The FH’s sleek embedded-in-wing engine design proved very efficient, and folding wings made carrier operations familiar to deck hands used to piston-engine fighters of the war. Only 62 were made, but it proved to be an excellent proof of concept. Replica Statistics Builder: NAA Part Count: 61 Mass: 11.6 Tons Crew: 1 Service Ceiling: 10km Powerplant: 4x Juno Top Speed: 340 m/s Dimensions: 12.1 x 12.8 x 4.2 LWH This recreation handles smoothly, but loses speed in long, sharp turns. I find that its beauty is in its wing; so flowing, yet sharp, too. Download Link: https://kerbalx.com/NorthAmericanAviation/McDonnell-FH-Phantom Tomorrow's Craft: North American F-86 Sabre