Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This aircraft was in development for nearly ten years, but never reached production.
2. It was still in development when the war ended; and was not further developed.
3. This aircraft was designed to be a high speed bomber, able to evade enemy fighters through sheer speed.
4. It used an unusual engine design.
5. A shortage of engines was a very large part of the reason why the aircraft never reached production.
6. Only a handful of prototypes, and pre-production prototypes were produced.
7. Its design was probably an evolution of a noted previous design.
8. The previous design was very successful, setting several speed records.
9. This new aircraft set a speed record itself.
10. The design was significant in that aerodynamic drag was kept to an absolute minimum.
11. Its engine was set very close to the center of gravity.
12. The first couple of prototypes used retractable landing gear.
13. But the third was constructed with floats. 14. The fourth prototype set a new world speed record.
15. The next few prototypes followed quickly, but the engine shortage became apparent and no more were produced.