Science: A Bright New COIN

If the A11 is aimed at the future, the brand new twin-engined plane rolled out on the test runway at Convair's San Diego plant last week looked like a relic of the past. The tiny (34 ft. long) Charger seemed to be a stubby cousin of World War II's P-38 Lightning.

But then the Charger's job is no more modern than its look; the turboprop plane is a jungle fighter, a volunteer for the brush-fire wars of today's world. It can strafe a target at 50 m.p.h., yet escape from danger at eight times that...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!