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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 0913.PDF
MAY 9TH, 1946 FLIGHT 469 Northrop Activities Details of the XB-35 Flying*wing Bomber : F*15 Reporter Photo^ Reconnaissance Developvrt&ht ATHOUGH American Inanufacturers generallyare noted for their enterprise, none is betterknown in this connection than the North'rop Company. President of the corporation, John K. (jack) Northrop, has pioneered many novel and advanced designs, and as long ago as 1923 he toyed with the flying-wing idea. In 1928 he built a small aircraft of flying-wing conception but having twin booms to sup- port tail surfaces. Recent examples to appear include the N-iM all-wing flying scale model, which completed 200 nights before honourable retirement, and the XP-56, first American tailless, pusher fighter. The Black Widow, to mention a rather more conventional aircraft, is believed to be the first aircraft specifically designed as a night fighter. It was used with success in the East in the later part of the war and was also in limited use against flying bombs at home. Its controls were of particular interest. In producing the XB-35, first large-scale flying-wing bomber, the Northrop Company have drawn on many years' experience of such types, and in particular upon information obtained from the N-iM and from four 60ft scale models produced for study of flight characteristics. Construction of the full-scale aircraft was commenced in January, 1943, and it was completed and wheeled out for engine running, etc., some two weeks ago. The design was originally submitted in September, 1941, and work on a preliminary contract on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis started in 1942. The cost of the first aircraft is estimated at |i3,ooo,ooo. A new aluminium alloy known as Alcoa, said to be Developed from the BlackWidow, the Reporter differs chiefly in its engine cowl-ings and cockpit enclosure. • stronger than previous materials of a similar nature, has been used in the construction of the XB-35, which has a dry weight of approximately 89,000 lb and a designed useful load of 73,000 1b. The overload gross weight is expected finally to be 209,000 lb. Of roughly boomerang shape, the bomber has a span of 172ft and a wing area of 4,000 sq ft. These figures make an interesting comparison with those for the Boeing Superfortress, largest operational bomber to date, which has a span of 141ft. and a wing area of only 1,739 sq ft. The root chord of the flying wing is 37.5ft and at the tips the planes taper off to 9ft 4m. A tricycle undercarriage is fitted, with dual main wheels of 5ft 6in diameter, and a nose wheel 4ft 8in diameter. As reported last week in Flight. when a first photo of the XB-35 was published, the power is provided by four Pratt and Whitney 4-row radial Wasp Majors, each producing a full- power rating of 3,000 h.p. Eight- bladed counter-rotating pusher air- screws of Hamilton Standard type are driven through extension shafts and are capable of pitch reversal for brak- ing. Th<- engines are entirely con- tained in the wing and characteristic ally each is equipped with two single stage turbo-superchargers. Cooling and intake air is collected through An artist's impression of the XB-35bomber in flight. Some idea of the armament and the finished appear-ance of the faired-in extension shafts and airscrew spinners may be gained
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