Altitude Flight Simulation

Meet: The Messerschmitt P.1101!

This late WW2 German prototype jet fighter was designed with the option to change the sweep of the wings pre-flight, a feature that would be developed further in other aircraft (Like the Bell X-5).

The design process was fraught with problems, such as the cannon installation being to crowded, the mainwheel retraction and the door mechanisms being "Too complex", and the overall weight causing performance estimates to fall under RLM requirements. Due to this a competing design was chosen as the winner of the "Emergency Fighter Program", the Focke-Wulf Ta 183.

Despite this, the RLM did continue reduced funding for the P.1101 in the hopes of future experimental flights, however, the worsening war situation led them to build a full scale prototype much quicker than originally planned, with several parts being salvaged from other planes, such as the Me 262 wings. The feature of changing the sweep of the wings was also scrapped as an idea for the full operational aircraft and was only kept for testing purposes.

By the end of the war, the prototype had not been finished. And the unfinished version was captured by American infantry forces, and sent back to the US to be studied (And later developed into the Bell X-5).

Meet: The Airbus BelugaXL!

This outsize freight plane is a great example of what we'd call an "Oddball Aircraft" and let me tell you, there's plenty of those!

This particular oddball is quite the powerhouse, with a total weight capacity of 50,500kg (111,333 lbs) while being able to get up to a max speed of 737km/h (458 mph, 398 kn). With a 63.1 m (207 ft) length, and a 60.3 m (197 ft) wingspan, this giant is quite a sight to behold, especially with the charming painted beluga face, this plane is a great example of not only how important aviation is; by transporting cargo that would otherwise take much longer to move. But also how impressive planes, and indeed all aircraft have become since the first manned flight!