Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This aircraft, like the subject of the preceding question, used an all moving vertical stabilizer; often called a “full flying” vertical tail surface
2. It also used a full flying horizontal tail surface.
3. Although the horizontal surface did have a small, and short, leading edge which was stationary.
4. It used the same basic fuselage as a preceding design by the same designer and company.
5. It used a shortened version of the wing to be utilized by the next design by the same designer and company.
6. It was deemed to be the best of the aircraft utilizing the type of engine it used, at a competition to select the next generation of fighter aircraft.
7. And it was then put into production.
8. But less than 60 aircraft were produced.
9. Mainly because of issues dealing with the engine.
10. Two of our subject aircraft were entered in the competition.
11. One (the first) used a common engine, much in use at the time.
12. The other (the second) used a new, not yet in full production, engine which was significantly more powerful.
13. During the competition, the first aircraft was fitted with another engine; an even more powerful new engine; again, not yet in production.
14. The pilots flying the competitors liked our subject aircraft.
15. It was very maneuverable, and handled easily.
16. It was, simply, a great aircraft with no vices or weaknesses.
17. And it was, therefore, ordered to go into production immediately.
18. However, both of the new engines had issues.
19. And all the production versions of our subject aircraft had to be fitted with the older, less powerful engine mentioned in clue 11.
20. So, production was ordered to be halted until the newer engines were available.
21. Thus, the low production numbers mentioned in clue 8.
22. Before the needed engines became available, a new aircraft was produced, by the same designer and manufacturer, which used a different type of engine, and which was highly regarded.
23. So, our subject aircraft was relegated to the sidelines of military aircraft history.
24. It was generally held to be a great aircraft in all regards, other than outright speed.
25. Which was the problem with using the less powerful engine.
26. This was a single seat fighter.
27. Length was a bit over 20 feet.
28. Wingspan was just over 25 feet.
29. The plane was very light.