Military Model Scene

Title: McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat
Author: Steve Richardson & Peggy Mason
Publisher: Osprey Publications
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5203-5

This is number 17 in the X-Planes series from Osprey, and covers an aircraft that prior to this book I can't remember seeing before. This 80-page soft-cover book sets out the story of the very first complete design by the McDonnell Aircraft Company, intended to be a high-altitude, high-speed bomber interceptor.
The story is spread over 4 main chapters, plus the opening Introduction and closing Conclusion. It starts with taking us through the Origins of the design, after James L McDonnell had left his work with the Glenn L Martin company, in order to start his own in St Louis, Missouri. Such a famous aircraft company now but a reminder that everyone had to start somewhere. The design came from two 'Request for Data' invitations, for both a new engine and a design for a pursuit aircraft. Put into context with other competing designs it led to the building of a single prototype. There are then the details of the test and development phase. The design featured a heavily blended airframe and there were a number of adaptations proposed for various roles, which are illustrated with some interesting drawings of them. The prototype first flew in January 1944 and needed some modification. In September the same year, a terminal engine fire ended the time of the XP-67. The twin piston and jet engine configuration didn't get rebuilt, but the final chapter does look at how some of the blended design features of the airframe did influence some of the later McDonnell aircraft designs which did get into service.
Not just an interesting story of a prototype design at a time when there was so much going on in aircraft development, but many archive images of this futuristic looking design show us what it looked like, and they are accompanied by some more superb artwork by Adam Tooby. Another good value, well researched book from Osprey in their X Planes series.
Thanks to Osprey for our review copy.

Robin