Amazing Flying Machines I

Aerospace

6 February 2026

They are constantly operating all across our planet today. The last century gave us numerous innovations in aerospace that propelled us into a new era of global transportation. Journeys that used to take months via ships can now be achieved in less than a day. I believe such exponential acceleration in aerospace is still in its infancy; this century has the potential to push the limits even further in terms of duration, comfort, and overall ease of travel.

Below, I have documented two of my favourite aircraft concepts from the last century that have pushed the limits of aerospace in order to meet their challenging requirements.

Armstrong Whitworth AW.171 (UK)

Description: Proposed by Dr A.A. Griffith of Rolls-Royce, the AW.171 was a supersonic VTOL aircraft designed in response to the Ministry of Supply (MoS) ER.161T specification. It featured two Bristol Orpheus turbojet engines for horizontal thrust and ten Rolls-Royce RB.108 VTOL lift engines for vertical thrust, enabling it to fly at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2 (2,469.6 km/h). The aircraft had a very narrow fuselage, where the pilot had to lie in a prone position in order to minimise drag. Further development was cancelled in 1957 before a prototype could be flown.

Requirements: Investigate the low aspect ratio design of a delta wing supersonic VTOL aircraft based on the MoS ER.161T specification.

Specifications: Design concept only; two Bristol Orpheus turbojet engines and ten Rolls-Royce RB.108 VTOL lift engines; prone piloting position.

Timeline: Concept circa mid-1950s; cancelled in 1957.

Avro Canada TS-140 (Canada/US)

Description: Designed to be a long-range, high-altitude interceptor aircraft for continental air defence, the TS-140 was Avro Canada’s candidate for the US Navy TS-140 specification. It featured a unique X-wing design and was described as capable of flying at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2 (2,469.6 km/h). It featured four Orenda-licensed Bristol Orpheus turbojet engines and had complex airflow management for vertical and horizontal thrust. Further development was cancelled in 1959 before a prototype could be flown.

Requirements: Long-range, high-altitude, VTOL interceptor aircraft based on the US Navy TS-140 specification.

Specifications: Design concept only; four Orenda-licensed Bristol Orpheus turbojet engines.

Timeline: Concept circa mid-1950s; cancelled in 1959.