Monday, December 21, 2015

The Amazing Flying Wing - Images You Haven't Seen Before?!

The Amazing Flying Wing - Images You Haven't Seen Before?!

The Amazing Flying Wing – Images You Haven’t Seen Before?!



67 years ago, the flight test community suffered a tremendous loss when the Northrop YB-49 broke apart mid-air in the skies over the Mojave Desert. The jet-powered flying wing, crashed just five miles north of Edwards Air Force Base.
All five crew members lost their lives that day, including Californian Capt. Glen Edwards who was flying as co-pilot with Maj. Daniel Forbes Jr. At the request of retired Maj. Gen. Albert Boyd (then Col. Boyd), Muroc Air Force Base was redesignated Edwards Air Force Base on Dec. 8, 1949 in honor of the young captain’s heroism and sacrifice.
According to retired Brig. Gen. Robert Cardenas, who served as the chief test pilot on the YB-49 program, Jack Northrop’s vision of the flying wing was a revolutionary concept; it was just too advanced for 1940’s technology.
In November 1948, Cardenas appeared before Jack Northrop and the General Officer’s Board to share his perspective on the controversial program.
“When I appeared before the board, I told them Mr. Northrop’s concept is going to give you one of the most potent weapon systems you’ve ever had. But, the YB-49 has exceeded the human sensory and response capability because we humans are reactive. This aircraft needs a proactive system and I don’t know what it is,” said Cardenas.
The YB- 49 project superseded the Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 which were experimental heavy bomber aircraft developed by the Northrop Corporation for the United States Army Air Forces during and shortly after World War II. The airplane used the radical and potentially very efficient flying wing design, in which the tail section and fuselage are eliminated and all payload is carried in a thick wing.
Only prototype and pre-production aircraft were built, although interest remained strong enough to warrant further development of the design as a jet bomber, under the designation YB-49. The crash of a YB-49 in June 1948 occurred when Capt. Glen Edwards forced the plane into a low speed high angle stall, flight testing of YB-49 #1 continued until March of 1950 when the tire on the nose wheel failed during high speed taxi test. Testing continued for a short time more on the YRB-49A.
It was clear that the airforce did not want Jack Northrup’s flying wing and never gave a fair assessment of it. The biggest problem was the both the B-35 and the B-49 were in direct competition with Boeing projects, the B-50 and the B-47 respectively,and Boeing was determined not to miss out like they had with the B-36.
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The YRB-49A was a strategic reconnaissance version of the flying wing, created from YB-35B #42-102376. Photographic equipment was installed in the tail cone bay. Its first flight was on 5/4/1950.
UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: Army Air Force Xb 35 Aircraft Flying Over Los Angeles In United States On 1946 (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
JANUARY 01: Army Air Force XB 35 Aircraft 
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The YB-49 lifts off from Northrop Field for its first flight. Northrop’s chief test pilot Max Stanley flew the ship the short distance to Muroc AFB, where it would begin its testing.

29th April 1946: Four powerful Pratt and Whitney Wasp Major engines turn four 8-bladed propellers to generate the power for the American Flying Wing which will be used by the American Air Force. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
29th April 1946: Four powerful Pratt and Whitney Wasp Major engines turn four 8-bladed propellers to generate the power for the American Flying Wing which will be used by the American Air Force. 
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Northrop XB-35 Flying wing, a heavy bomber prototype
Northrop's Flying Wing Bomber, XB-35, is wheeled on to the runway for its first taxi tests, Hawthorne, California, May 25, 1946. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)
Northrop’s Flying Wing Bomber, XB-35, is wheeled on to the runway for its first taxi tests, Hawthorne, California, May 25, 1946
Northrop's Flying Wing Bomber, XB-35, takes off on its maiden flight, Hawthorne, California, June 26, 1946. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)
Northrop’s Flying Wing Bomber, XB-35, takes off on its maiden flight, Hawthorne, California, June 26, 1946.


The flying wing bombers enjoyed all the usual financial support and governmental interest normally associated with a wartime program. They also suffered through the chaotic period that came with war’s end. The program endured, however, because of the enormous potential demonstrated by the unique aircraft. The enthusiasm for the program that was demonstrated by the Northrop “family” was shared to a great extent by many of the technical and management people of the Army Air Forces. Their foresight, assistance, and encouragement kept the development program going through the rough times.
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 06: Northrop Yb 49 Taking Off At California In Usa On November 6Th 1947 (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 06: Northrop YB 49 Taking Off  November 6th 1947 
JUN 5 1949 With a giant B-49 flying wing in the background, the noted air force band prepares for its Colorado concerts. The band will play for the governors' convention in Colorado Springs June 19 and 20, then will come to Denver for a free concert in Red Rocks park June 21. Arrangements for the concert her made by The Denver Post and Air Secretary W. Stuart Symington. being made to admit 10,000 persons to the concert in Red Rocks. Credit: Air Force Photo
JUNE 5 1949
With a giant B-49 flying wing in the background, the noted air force band prepares for its Colorado concerts. The band will play for the governors’ convention in Colorado Springs June 19 and 20, then will come to Denver for a free concert in Red Rocks park June 21. Arrangements for the concert her made by The Denver Post and Air Secretary W. Stuart Symington.
being made to admit 10,000 persons to the concert in Red Rocks.
Credit: Air Force Photo
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This shot gives a good example of how odd the “flying wing” appeared, when looking head on.
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The Air Force ordered all the remaining YB-35/49 aircraft to be destroyed. This may be the remains of the YRB-49A.
Sep. 29, 1947: Head on view of Northrop Flying Wing powered by eight jet engines. Photo taken on aircraft's introduction to the public and media.
Sep. 29, 1947: Head on view of Northrop Flying Wing powered by eight jet engines. Photo taken on aircraft’s introduction to the public and media.
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A classic picture of the YB-49 over the Capitol Building. It was too late for publicity to do any real good.
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In size, the XB-35 would dwarf the B-17 Flying Fortress, with wing area and gross weight almost three times those of the legendary heavy bomber.
Sep. 29, 1947: Visitors take a closeup look at the Northrup YB-49 Flying Wing during ist unveiling. The YB-49 is powered by with J-35 turbojet engines, mounted in groups of four.
Sep. 29, 1947: Visitors take a closeup look at the Northrup YB-49 Flying Wing during ist unveiling. The YB-49 is powered by with J-35 turbojet engines, mounted in groups of four.
Sep. 29, 1947: Visitors take a closeup look at the Northrup YB-49 Flying Wing during ist unveiling.
Sep. 29, 1947: Visitors take a closeup look at the Northrup YB-49 Flying Wing during its unveiling.
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The clean lines of the flying wing were marred by the extra engines.
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Sep. 29, 1947: Head on view of Northrop Flying Wing powered by eight jet engines. Photo taken on aircraft's introduction to the public and media.
Sep. 29, 1947: Head on view of Northrop Flying Wing powered by eight jet engines. Photo taken on aircraft’s introduction to the public and media.
flyingwing-10The Northrop factory in Hawthorne, California.
191Aircraft designer John K. “Jack” Northrop stands in front of his YB-49 Flying Wing bomber. Mainly due to political reasons, the YB-49 was never mass produced. The last flight of the last Flying Wing took place on 4/26/1951.  Eighteen months later, Jack resigned from Northrop Aircraft, Inc., and left the aviation industry.
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#367 flies over Muroc Field. Two YB-49 prototypes were built from YB-35’s. #42-102368 was the second aircraft.
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This view of the first prototype Northrop XB-35, 42-13603, the “Flying Wing”, on the ramp at Muroc Air Force Base shows the pusher arrangement of four-bladed contra-rotating propellers. In the background, a turbojet-powered YB-49 is in a right bank. (U,S. Air Force)
XB-35FlyingWing
Interesting cockpit layoutYB-49-artist-rendition
Artist’s rendition of a version of the YB-49 transforming into the B-2 Spirit. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Jet Fabara)

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