In the 1950s, designer René Leduc was awarded a contract for two examples of a short-range supersonic interceptor, intended to fulfill the high-speed interceptor role. The first prototype had a thick barrel-like monocoque fuselage with a coaxial turbojet-ramjet powerplant to enable unassisted operation, and a protruding nose section housing the cockpit and escape capsule for the pilot. It reached a speed of Mach 1.15 in December 1957, but was damaged shortly afterwards when it caught fire while taking off. The program was cancelled shortly afterwards. This is the unflown second prototype 022.

This photo is copyright © Alastair T. Gardiner, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.

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