Cold War Delta Prototypes

Cold War Delta Prototypes delves into the captivating history of how the radical delta-wing became the preferred design for early British and American high-performance jets, highlighting the legendary role of aircraft like the Fairey Delta series in its evolution.

At the dawn of the supersonic jet age, aircraft designers were compelled to innovate with radical new planforms to suit the power of the jet engine, among which the delta wing emerged as one of the most successful.

While Gloster produced the delta wing Javelin, and Boulton Paul developed its P.111 research aircraft, Fairey and Avro led the delta wing advancement in Britain. Across the Atlantic, except for Douglas’s Navy jet fighter programmes, Convair largely dominated delta wing development in America. Both regions aimed to create high-speed fighter aircraft.

In Britain, the Fairey Delta 2 made history by breaking the World Air Speed Record spectacularly, though it didn't secure a production order. In contrast, Convair received major orders for two jet fighter types and one jet bomber. Simultaneously, the British Avro company created the 707 research aircraft family leading to the notable Vulcan, demonstrating the successful application of the delta wing for a subsonic bomber.

This book investigates the delta wing's development in Britain and America and explores how experimental aircraft like the Fairey Deltas showcased their potential and versatility. In Britain, the narrative covers the Fairey Delta 1 and Fairey Delta 2, the proposed Fairey Delta Rocket Fighter, the extensive Delta 3 long-range interceptor, and the Avro 707. On the American front, it examines the Convair XF-92 and XF-92A, the evolution of the Delta Dagger/Delta Dart family, and the Convair Sea Dart — the world’s only supersonic seaplane.