Erik Simonsen
The Greatest Planes That Never Were
What Might Have Been: View of a conceptual operational SAC USAF/Convair B-46A with drop tanks, and underside white radiation anti-flash paint. The Convair XB-46 competed against the NAA XB-45, Boeing XB-47, and Martin XB-48 for a medium bomber contract during the late 1940s early 1950s. The swept-wing Boeing XB-47 was the eventual winner. Details are covered in Chapter 1 of, "A Complete History of U.S. Combat Aircraft Fly-Off Competitions”, by Erik Simonsen. Erik Simonsen photo/illustration
What Might Have Been: A conceptual operational USAF/Martin B-51G ‘Night Intruder’ variant prepares to take on fuel from a KC-135A Stratotanker. Nose configuration indicates the “G” variant was equipped with the Tropic Moon III sensor suite. From Chapter 2 of the book “A Complete History of U.S. Combat Aircraft Fly-Off Competitions”, by Erik Simonsen. Erik Simonsen photo/illustration
Myasishchev M-50 VTOL