Concurrently, the AAF ordered Northrop to convert two of the YB-35 airframes to YB-49s, essentially substituting eight jet engines for four reciprocating engines. As a result, the airframe promptly flew to more than 40,000 ft (12,000 m) and topped 520 mph (840 km/h) in flight tests, verifying the XB-35 air frame's aerodynamics, but at the price ...

Aug 1, 2024 · The Northrop YB-49, a turbojet-powered development of the YB-35, had a tragic crash in 1948 and 1950. When one thinks of "flying wing" military aircraft, chances are Northrop's B-2 Spirit (the original "Stealth Bomber") comes to mind, as do the upcoming Northrop Grumman B-21 "Raider" and the Red Chinese X-20 .

Aug 15, 2011 · So we headed over to the National Air and Space Museum’s archive to take a look at the technical files on the XB-35 (Northrop’s original, piston engine version) and the YB-49 (the turbojet ...

Feb 28, 2023 · The next month in February both XB-35s were ordered to be scrapped and from March 15th 1950 all YB-49s were destroyed. Northrop YRB-49A. After the B-49 project was discontinued, the Air Force proceeded to allocate funds for transforming the tenth YB-35 (42-102376) into a prototype for an unarmed, long-distance photographic reconnaissance aircraft.

The YB-49 featured a flying wing design and was a turbojet-powered development of the earlier, piston-engined Northrop XB-35 and YB-35. The two YB-49s built were both converted YB-35 test aircraft.The YB-49 never entered production, being passed over in favor of the more conventional Convair B-36 piston-driven design.

Jul 7, 2017 · Conceived by Jack Northrop as a large wing-only, long-range heavy bombers, the Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 were experimental airplanes developed by the Northrop Corporation for the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) during and shortly after World War II. The aircraft used the radical and potentially very efficient flying wing design, in which the tail ...

May 3, 2021 · With the end of the war, the USAAF inevitably began turning its interest to jet-powered types and called on Northrop to build two YB-35 aircraft into YB-49 bombers outfitted with 8 x Allison J35 turbojet engines.

Oct 21, 2024 · While the YB-35 Flying Wing was planned for multiple machine gun turrets, the YB-49 carried no defensive armament. Northrop YB-49 42-102367 takes off from Northrop Field, Hawthorne, California. Note the crowds of onlookers and residential housing along W. 120th Street, on the north side of the airport. (Unattributed) Only two Northrop YB-49s ...