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An experimental French aircraft, the Nord Griffon achieved a world speed record of Mach 2.19 in October 1959.
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The large intake helped feed both the turbojet and secondary ramjet.
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The Douglas XB-42 was a prototype for a high speed, long range bomber during WWII. It was meant to have the range of the B-29 but at much less cost.
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By installing the Allison V-12 engines internally, driving contra-rotating pusher props, the clean design was designed for a 410 mph. speed. But during a late 1945 California to Washington DC trip, the trip zoomed along at 433 mph., a speed record at the time.

A wheel at the base of the tail ensured that the props wouldn't hit the ground during takeoff.
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As the war was winding down, it was decided not to enter production, as it was likely that jet power was going to be the way of the future. Even so, one of the prototypes was modified with a pair of jet engines, pushing the top speed up to 488 mph.

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In December, 1945, the very first Beechcraft Bonanza took to the air.
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Famous for its V tail, later models looked more conventional; the V tail was dropped after 1982.
The longest aircraft in production, the Bonanza is still being built. However, not for long. In November 2025, it was announced that after current orders are filled, the line is finally coming to an end with over 18,500 having been built.

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Although the Bonanza looks conventional these days, when it was introduced it was a very modern design, being all metal when most small private planes were still made of wood and fabric.

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