FJ-2 Fury

Design Features

All Moving Tailplane: Solved shockwave air compression effects as an aircraft approaches and then exceeds the speed of sound. Speed tests by the Bell-X1 & research by the British designers of the Miles M.52 lead to this critical control breakthrough. Operationally installed on the F-86E Sabrejet in 1951 & kept secret from the USSR thus delaying its use by the Soviets until 1953 with the introduction of the MiG-19.

Swept-Back Wings & Tail: Allows for supersonic speeds by delaying the onset of shockwaves. Developed by German researchers during WWII and applied famously to the transonic American F-86 & Soviet MiG-15.

Leading-Edge Slats: aerodynamically actuated at low speed to provid additional lift during landing and improved low-speed handling. During World War II German Me-262 aircraft were fitted with a version that pushed back flush against the wing by air pressure to reduce drag, popping out on springs when the airflow decreased during slower flight. The FJ-2 uses a similar design as well as the A4 Skyhawk.