Three of these are a bit strange. The other two were major players In WW II.

#1. This is a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat. It served two major roles: one as a trainer for single-engine pilots who were transitioning to multi-engine planes and it also served as a light bomber. It was active in every theatre of operations. It picked up the nickname " Bamboo Bomber " because the fuselage was made of wood.

#2. I don't know the name of this aircraft but I don't think I'd be interested in going up in it. I realize that it's been certified for flight, but for someone else....not me.

#3. This is another one I'm not anxious to go up in. Maybe Batman would like it.

#4. This is a U.S. Airforce experimental vertical takeoff plane named the XF-V1. It didn't get very far in testing. It was too complicated and too expensive. It soon disappeared. At least you can say you saw a picture of it.

#5. The P-51 D Mustang. My favorite WW II fighter plane. Hell, I think it is half of the worlds favorite WW II plane. I've been up in this very plane, the Sizzlin Liz, and it's an experience I'll never forget.

N18DW Aircraft Registration
Aircraft Summary
Summary
1972 WILLIAMS DAVID T DYKE DELTA JD-2
Fixed wing single engine
(4 seats / 1 engine)
Owner
SALE REPORTED
SANTA ANA , CA, US
(Individual)
Airworthiness Class
Experimental
Serial Number
1093
Engine
LYCOMING IO-390 SER (4 Cycle)
Horsepower: 210
Weight
Less than 12,500lbs
Speed
85mph
Mode S Code
050237263 / A13EB3
Registration Details
Status
Unknown
Certificate Issue Date
Airworthiness Date
2007-04-10
Last Action Date
2021-12-02
Expiration
Registry Source
FAA

Registration History
Date Owner Location
02-Dec-2021 SALE REPORTED SANTA ANA CA

From the The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia

The Mustang was the only fighter with the range to effectively escort Superfortress bombers on their raids over Japan. However, the combat record of the Mustang in this theater was not nearly as outstanding as in the European theater. In return for destroying 221 Japanese aircraft, the Mustangs suffered 114 combat losses, 43 operational losses, and 107 lost pilots. Given the toughness of the Superfortresses and the weakness of Japanese air defenses at this stage of the war, this exchange rate is difficult to justify. The long flights were so stressful on pilots that they were rotated home after as few as 15 missions, and it became customary to change all the spark plugs out of the engines after every escort mission due to fouling during the long, low-RPM cruises.
28% of Mustang squadrons were deployed to the Pacific.

Three of these are a bit strange. The other two were major players In WW II.

#1. This is a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat. It served two major roles: one as a trainer for single-engine pilots who were transitioning to multi-engine planes and it also served as a light bomber. It was active in every theatre of operations. It picked up the nickname " Bamboo Bomber " because the fuselage was made of wood.

#2. I don't know the name of this aircraft but I don't think I'd be interested in going up in it. I realize that it's been certified for flight, but for someone else....not me.

#3. This is another one I'm not anxious to go up in. Maybe Batman would like it.

#4. This is a U.S. Airforce experimental vertical takeoff plane named the XF-V1. It didn't get very far in testing. It was too complicated and too expensive. It soon disappeared. At least you can say you saw a picture of it.

#5. The P-51 D Mustang. My favorite WW II fighter plane. Hell, I think it is half of the worlds favorite WW II plane. I've been up in this very plane, the Sizzlin Liz, and it's an experience I'll never forget.

All interesting craft, Tom. I agree with you about the P-51, later designated F-51. The best looking of all the prop driven fighters. I've never had the privilege of flying in one and envy you the experience.

The XF-V1 was nicknamed "Pogo" because it took off and landed vertically (note small caster wheels on wing tips) like a pogo stick. I've read that landing with the pilot virtually lying on his back while using mirrors and hand signals from a ground controller was a bitch. As you said, it was way too costly and difficult to maintain with its counter-rotating props, very difficult to operate and not really possessing the necessary attributes of a fighter

Really good photos of a couple of white elephants, some audacious designs, and one of the most successful and long-lived fighter designs ever.