Convair XF-92: The First American Delta-Winged Aircraft

 The Convair XF-92 (re-designated from XP-92 in 1948) was an American, delta wing, first-generation jet prototype. Originally conceived as a point-defence interceptor, the design was later used purely for experimental purposes and only one was built. However, it led Convair to use the delta-wing on a number of designs, including the F-102 Delta Dagger, F-106 Delta Dart, B-58 Hustler, the US Navy's F2Y Sea Dart as well as the VTOL FY Pogo.

The aircraft was delivered to Muroc Air Force Base, California on April 1, 1958 and its first flight was far from impressive, and consisted of little more than an inadvertent hop during its high-speed taxi test—while its first true flight was made on September 18 of that year, which demonstrated the airworthiness of the radical design and its Phase I testing continued through August 1949.

Credit: US Military Power