On the cover of the Mar. 2 1959 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology is prototype McDonnell 119 in flight test phase. We wrote that turbojet engine pods on McDonnell 119 utitlity jet transport will be "somewhat smaller" on the production model, which will be powered by Pratt & Whitney JT12 engines. Prototype 119 is powered by four Westinghouse J34s. The aircraft is a contender for the U.S. Air Force UCX competition.

Read the full issue to learn more about the case for nuclear powered aircraft and and how a Boeing 707-120 aircraft dropped an engine during a test flight.  

Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive which has over 100 Years of Aviation Week — at your fingertips.

Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).