Over the decades there have been countless aircraft designs which, for one reason or another, never made it into production. Some were already outdated before the slow process of testing and manufacture would have seen them enter service; some were very good designs but financial or political motives meant alternatives were sought; others were little more than speculative designs or, as in the case of the Luftwaffe, some were cancelled due to over-stretched resources and the end of hostilities.
Whatever the reason, many aircraft designs showed real vision and often looked much more modern than their actual age would suggest, giving a fascinating insight into the forward-thinking, creativity and in some cases, desperation of aircraft designers.
I have set up xplanes3d.com to cater for a subject which has fascinated me for a very long time: my main aim being to showcase the visualisation and aviation art of experimental and prototype aircraft projects of some of these X-planes and how they might have looked had they been built - the 'what-ifs' of aviation.
Thank you for visiting Xplanes3d.com
MARTIN LETTS
Please note: All the images and text contained in this web site are subject to copyright law and all rights are reserved. If you wish to use any images please contact me. I am happy for images to be shared within forums as long as a link to this site is included and the images are not altered in any way. Commercial usage rates are available on request as are high resolution images. Please see legal section on the Site Map page
I have added some new art to the site. The NORTHROP N-31A FLYING WiNG medium bomber project c.1950 has been added to the USAF gallery.
This strategic bomber proposal was the embodiment of Northrop's wish to see a successful flying-wing design accepted into the USAF.
Unfortunately this attractive aircraft or its proposed variants never made it past the drawing board, the role of strategic bomber being handled by the Boeing B-47 and the long-serving B-52.
I have depicted the aircraft in mid 1950s Strategic Air Command colour scheme, similar to that on B-47s of the time.
I hope you enjoy the images.
PS. The N-144 previously posted as 'Work in Progress' has been put on ice for a while: the flying wing was too attractive to me!