If you are interested in vintage aircraft projects and proposals, check out RetroMechanix.com, which currently has free, heavily illustrated articles on the contenders for the US Navy OS-130 Day Fighter competition of 1953, which ultimately yielded the F8U Crusader and F5D Skylancer. Features over 500 rare high resolution photos, drawings and artist’s impressions. Subjects covered include the Convair Carrier Based F2Y, Douglas Model 652, Grumman Design 97, Lockheed L-242 Navalized Starfighter, McDonnell Model 90/91, North American OS-130 Class VF Day Fighter, Northrop Model N-94, TEMCO Model 31, Vought V-383/V-384, and Vought XF8U-1 Mock-up Inspection. All articles are based on primary documents found in the US National Archives and the majority is previously unpublished:
Recently added was a new article on a proposal known as the “Sapphire powered Grumman Cougar” dating from the early 1950’s:
Going forward, there will be regular site updates with new articles on various aerospace studies, prototypes, modifications, etc. Future articles will cover nuclear-powered bombers, bizarre VTOL aircraft, early missiles and drones, etc. If you are into scratchbuilding, kitbashing, and what-if style aerospace subjects, this is a site worth visiting regularly.
-Jared