The North American XF-108 Rapier was a proposed long-range, high-speed interceptor aircraft designed by North American Aviation intended to defend the United States from supersonic Soviet bombers. The aircraft would have cruised as speeds around Mach 3. To limit development costs, the program shared engine development with the North American XB-70 Valkyrie strategic bomber program, and used a number of elements of earlier interceptor projects. It was cancelled in 1959, due to a shortage of funds and the Soviet's adoption of ballistic missiles as their primary means of nuclear attack. Had it flown, the F-108 would have been the heaviest fighter of its era. This model can only fly at Approx. Mach 1.42. DO NOT TRY TO MAKE HIGH G TURNS AT LOW ALTITUDE!!! Designed for high altitude flight, so it doesn't need too much fuel. FYI, fuel consumption is significantly reduced at higher altitudes. Makes the MOST GENTLE LANDINGS. Far easier to land than my Avro Vulcan.