Challenger Jets and Other Wings

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

The most famous airplane in the Challengers' lives, of course, is the jet that crashes into a Colorado hillside - a crash they survive. (See their origin.)

As the Challengers, the boys fly an incredible array of winged vehicles. Their capacity for invention is only surpassed by the depth of their pocketbooks. Although it's mentioned that Ace has sold several patents (source?), it's no wonder he's always broke.

From the very start, the Challengers fly experimental vehicles. These are either bought or built by Ace. From his early days as a test pilot, like a car nut, he constantly experiments and tweaks jets in a quest for speed and performance.

The first plane we see them fly is a cargo seaplane (Showcase 6). The guys probably rented this to transport Morellian's big mystery cube. That it belongs to a company explains the logo on the side.

This early triangular model is a standard they use for years. It can fly almost into space. Call it Challenger 1. (New Frontier 4)

Although not used often, Challenger 1 has VTOL capacity. The wings can swing down for a vertical landing. (COTU ???)

Note the snazzy thunderbolt on the side, a trick of the light. Too bad they didn't paint it in.

For long-range world-wide flights, the Challs use a modified strato-bomber. Call it Challenger 2. (COTU 4)

Early on, the bomber has "Challengers of the Unknown" painted along the side (Showcase 11).

The strato-bomber has another advantage: a pontoon for amphibious landings and takeoffs. (COTU 18)

The Challs roll on as the tour continues.