The NBMR-3 requirements and the P.1154 project nearly put an end to the subsonic P.1127 – it clearly failed to meet NATO’s requirements. Military attention was focused entirely on the heavier supersonic V/STOL aircraft. But once again, MWDP (Mutual Weapons Development Program) chief Chapman came to the rescue. Read also: The Birth of the “Harrier,” […]

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On September 12, 1961, a landmark event took place in the history of the R.1127: the second prototype (XP836) completed a flight through the full profile – vertical takeoff, transition to horizontal flight, transition to hover, and vertical landing. This confirmed in practice the viability of the VTOL concept with thrust-vector control incorporated into the R.1127’s design. […]

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I recently covered the Turkish Hürjet trainer-light attack aircraft, whose first export customer turned out to be Spain. But four decades earlier, Spain had nearly developed an aircraft of the same class itself. The project, known as the CASA AX, appeared to be a realistic proposition. So why did the Spanish effort ultimately fail? Concept […]

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