Now more than 60 years since the type’s first flight in February 1954, and more than a decade after the very last examples were retired by the Italian Air Force, the F-104 still looks every inch the modern cutting-edge jet fighter. This view shows the mid-mounted trapezoidal wing and T-tail which was to be scaled up for the CL-400-10.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-104G Starfighter - СШАUSA - 1959

The first member of the Blackbird family unveiled to the public was the number 1 YF-12A, 60-6934. This photograph, taken at Groom Lake, shows the aircraft wearing a black anti-radiation paint mask and carrying two engine nacelle-mounted camera pods for AIM-47A missile launch test work.
Resembling a spaceship from the pages of the wildest contemporary science-fiction, the Lockheed YF-12 high-speed high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft was developed from the Archangel series of designs, the first step on the road to the world-beating SR-71 Blackbird.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed YF-12 - СШАUSA - 1963

Стратегический самолет-разведчик RB-57D-0 выполняет полет в сопровождении B-57B
In total 20 Martin RB-57Ds were built, the first making the variant’s maiden flight in November 1955. Incorporating extended and wider-chord wings of 106ft (32m) span and uprated Pratt & Whitney J57 engines of 11,000 lb static thrust each, the type entered service in April 1956, but served with the USAF for only five years.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin B-57 Canberra - СШАUSA - 1953

The slender delta planform of the XB-70 Valkyrie, with large canards fitted to the forward fuselage, was similar to that of the CL-400-13. The unusual configuration utilised compression lift, in which the shock wave generated off the nose at supersonic speeds is used as a source of high-pressure air to generate additional lift.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American XB-70 Valkyrie - СШАUSA - 1964

The epitome of America’s bristling projection of global air power during the Cold War, Convair’s delta-winged four-engined supersonic B-58 Hustler strategic bomber (four General Electric J79 turbojet engines) made its first flight in August 1960. Capable of carrying a nuclear weapon in the centreline pod, the type also saw service in the photo-recce role as the RB-58.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Convair B-58 Hustler - СШАUSA - 1956

Although a full-size airframe was never completed by Lockheed, the CL-400-10, codenamed Suntan, was clearly based on Clarence “Kelly" Johnson’s F-104 Starfighter design for the same company. The hydrogen-powered Mach 2-5-capable CL-400-10 was more than three times the length of its stablemate, however, and was to be fitted with specially-designed Pratt & Whitney Model 304 engines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed CL-400 - СШАUSA - 1958

What might have been - this impression by IAN BOTT and NEIL FRASER imagines USAF and Lockheed groundcrew taking advantage of the cool pre-dawn desert air to prepare the huge but sleek CL-400-10 for another test flight from Area 51 in the early 1960s. The aircraft was nearly 165ft (50m) long with a wingspan of 83ft 9in (25 5m).

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed CL-400 - СШАUSA - 1958

The CL-400’s P&W Model 304 engine

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed CL-400 - СШАUSA - 1958