it is strange that the UGLY Tu-98 Backfin evolved into the gorgeous Tu-128 Fiddler and the beautiful Tu-22 Blinder….

Yeah man, Tu-98 was the design that started the new “line”
I never saw it before this thread !! It doesn’t look ugly to me at all. 🙂 🙂

Anyone has better pics?

Arthur:
Yes thats true. I had pics next to the other two so I just posted all 3 types
🙂

I wish I could rename the thread title and use the word “design” instead of “prototype”

Also, to clarify title further, some prototypes of the earlyer cold war period did enter “limited” service, and we should not exclude them if they are rare and interesting designs.

anyhow,
thanks everyone for the input

XB-51 and XF-87. Although I think XF-87 was designed for a figter role, I though I throw it in cause of the design similarity to others above.

enjoy

here are some earlier mentioned planes:
F4D Skyray, F11F Tiger, FJ3 Fury, XFV-12

Caspian Monster is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) aircraft ever built.
It certainly deserves major credit.
heres couple more thumbs