Northrop YB - 49
| The Northrop YB-49 was the jet-propelled variant of the XB-35
bomber. Two XB-35's were retrofitted with eight Allison J-35-A-15 jet engines and dubbed YB-49's. The first flight of the YB-49 occurred during October 1947. Four vertical fins were added, protruding both above and below the wing. Finally, the leading edge of the wing was modified in order to accommodate the air intakes for the engines. During the YB-49's flight test, it was discovered that the bomber handled more like a fighter, out turning its P-80 chase plane on several occasions. It was said that the air traffic controllers even had a difficult time locating the bomber on radar. On 5 June 1948 the second YB-49 crashed while performing speed runs at altitude. Flight testing revealed stability problems which could not be corrected with existing technology. The bomb bays were too small for the nuclear weapons of the day. The program was canceled by the Air Force in 1949. The YB-49 was simply a generation ahead of its time. |
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