X-planes of Europe: Secret Research Aircraft from the Golden Age 1947-1974

In the decades following World War II, aviation designers around the world scrambled to bring new technologies to their aircraft as the jet era ushered in new possibilities and immense challenges. New wing shapes, control systems, engines and construction materials all had to be tested in the air and this required a fleet of so-called 'X-planes' experimental aircraft designed to test new and untried concepts. Although much has been written about the legendary American 'X-planes' of this era, far less is known about many of the secret and exotic research aircraft designed and built in Europe especially those in France. Years ahead of their time, these aircraft were world-class in their own right. In Britain the transonic DH 108 Swallow was pushing towards the sound barrier as early as 1946 and the AW52 'all wing' laminar-flow aircraft first flew in 1947. Despite five years of wartime occupation, France flew its own design jet aircraft in 1946, with the N-20 swept flying wing concept being tested by 1951 in Switzerland and the Swedish SAAB 210 delta wing test aircraft first flying in 1952. The Fairey Delta 2 smashed the World Air Speed Record (previously held by a North American F-100C Super Sabre) by an astonishing 37% margin; this aircraft was later pivotal in research for the Concorde supersonic airliner programme. The ungainly Rolls Royce 'Flying Bedstead of 1953 pioneered the Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) concept used today in the new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Now, these once highly-classified aircraft are brought together in detail for the first time by the acknowledged experts in this field. The product of years of patient research, much of the material in this ground-breaking book is being made public for the first time. With many unpublished photographs, previously classified drawings and detailed appendices, the stories of these remarkable aircraft combine to produce an in-depth record that gives these rare and exotic flying machines their proper place in aviation and military history.

For twenty years Tony Buttler worked as a metallurgist at High Duty Alloys analysing and testing aluminium and titanium forgings manufactured for aircraft and defence equipment. It was during this period, working in the aircraft industry, that his deep interest in military aircraft was established. In 1994 he took a Masters Degree in Information Science and Archives at Loughborough University, and since 1996 he has been a full-time aviation historian and author. He has written 43 major books, numerous titles in the Warpaint series of modeller's books and well over a hundred articles for all of the important historical aviation magazines. He also presents lectures to branches of the Royal Aeronautical Society and to other aviation bodies and groups. His foremost area of interest and research has always been the design and development of military aircraft covering the period from the mid-1930s to the 1980s. In 2017, Buttler became a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society's Historical Group Committee, and in November 2022 he received the Society's Aeronautical Heritage Specialist Group Award for that year in recognition of his contribution to aviation history. Jean-Louis has been through his life a fervent aviation fan from the early days One of his first encounters with Aviation came from a neighbor who worked for Aerospatiale. He offered on his tenth birthday 2 of the best ever presents : 1 flight in a Sa341 Gazelle and a pass to the 1973 show of Le Bourget in the VIP chalets across the field from the public area. That day 2 Concordes were present, the second one, he later learned that it was the Tu144 crashed during the show. History would see yet another SST crash just a few thousand feet away some 28 years later. Jean-louis’ passion really took wings with the re-marriage of his mother to a french airline flight engineer. From That day, passport in hand, the world of aviation really took center stage. These were the pre Sept 11 days were cockpits and Jump seats were available. The most memorable, Aviation experiences: A special aviation moment in the author’s life came with the encounter of an aircraft owner who was debating about restoring his super Constellation. The dream was to see one, work with a restoration group ( He assisted as a restaurateur bringing the food to the troops) and oh impossible dream to fly in one, the Connie now flies in Europe under the guise of the Breitling Connie, and yes he rode the jump seat for the positioning flight to his home field of Van Nuys California. The top aviation moment was on a Concorde flight from CDG to MIA via JFK on the first leg of a Round the world flight . The flight was of course incredible, what made it outstanding was to be able to ride in the cockpit for take off . The runway at CDG passes over the freeway he so often took to go back to the home land in Northern France and so many times (luck ?or good preparation from his father ?) would be that the car came by the airport at the time the Concorde Roared by before take off. It would be so cool one day to be aboard and look at the freeway he thought all those years and there he was that day watching the freeway pass by. The flight was shared with his best friend who composed two one of the kind original paintings of the Concorde for this flight and was presented a similar privilege to assist at the landing and take off from the field he has spent so many years by in New York. An article about the trip and Supersonic flights was published written in cooperation in the Magazine Wings and Airpower. Aviation is always present in his life researching, collecting and sharing anything about his favorite subject, The Concorde. You would find him taking pictures before, during or after a flight or whenever possible JL also contributed as a aviation history researcher for the preparation of articles in the publications Wings and Airpower in the US. His aviation photos were also published in the magazines Airways and Acar. He shares his life with his wife Suzie retired from the airline industry in Sherman Oaks California and a remote island of the South Pacific with both places conveniently located not very far from an aviation field.