The Rockwell XFV-12
No one can deny that developing aircraft during their early days were challenging. However, by the time technology reached the 1970s one would expect that we’d reached a stage where leading airlines would know their tails from their wings. The Rockwell XFV-12 showed this hope to be misplaced. Despite being creatively designed, it thankfully never left the earth.
The Devil’s Hoverbike
The 50s, as mentioned before, were a highly novel and quirky time for American army engineering. Hoverboards were invented then, as the single-manned chopper airplane which supposedly would allow soldiers to glide behind enemy lines. This may have been a cool design if any small misstep on the part of the pilot resulted in them being dismembered by the massive helicopter blade
The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
The Komet was fitted with a rocket booster to better intercept and destroy opposing aircraft. If that doesn’t sound terrifying enough, it could also reach 100 miles per hour in no time at all while leaving other planes in the dust. Well, all this would have been intimidating, if the Komet’s leaky fuel tank had been able to accommodate more fuel than three minute’s worth of flight! This downfall in fuel tank design would be the Komet’s eventual downfall, taking many pilots lives with it.
The Tupolev Tu-144
This plane was another disaster hailing from the 70s also aimed at being a supersonic airliner. Sadly, its test flight ended with a flaming accident for all the Paris Air Show attendees’ horror. This aircraft was given over fifty test flights prior to being sealed away for all eternity.
De Havilland Comet
It is a shame that the De Havilland Comet was such a failure in the end, as it did have some redeeming qualities, even if it did become the benchmark for aircraft failures. Its designers gave it their all, but it still could not avoid being an explosive waste.
