Name That Plane............

Two very similar planes.
What are they?

One is the Northrop Flying Wing and is the other the B2 bomber?

Originally Posted by Mand

One is the Northrop Flying Wing and is the other the B2 bomber?

You are right on the first Mand, but totally out on the second one.

They're both Flying Wing's aren't they?
The one with props is a 35, the other could be a 49?

Originally Posted by NBs

They're both Flying Wing's aren't they?
The one with props is a 35, the other could be a 49?

Well done NB's. The XB-35 was the original propellor driven flying wing, and the other one is the later modified version fitted with Jet engines.

XB-35
Aviation pioneer John Northrop spent decades developing the concept of an all-wing aircraft, trading the weight and drag of a conventional fuselage and tail for greater speed and range. On June 25, 1946, his XB-35 Flying Wing bomber lifted majestically from the run way of the Northrop Aircraft Co. and made its maiden flight to Edwards AFB (then Muroc Army Air Field). In this photo, taken from the escorting P-61, the XB-35's eight contra-rotating propellers are seen to advantage. Four Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engines each drove a pair of four-bladed propellers rotating in opposite directions by means of an extension shaft and specialized gear box. Unfortunately, chronic problems with the propeller governors and the complicated gear boxes doomed the innovative bomber to early extinction. The basic concept was sound, however, and its 172-foot wingspan, sweepback angle, and total wing surface area were virtually identical to the B-2 which appeared decades later.


Type: Strategic heavy bomber prototype Engine: 4 Pratt & Whitney R4360-17/25 radial piston Crew: 7 Speed: 391 mph. Range: 2,500 miles Ceiling: 40,000 ft. Max Weight: 209,000 lb. Height: 20 ft. 1 in. Armament: 20 machine guns in seven barbettes, and
up to 10,000 lb of bombs

YB-49
The Northrop YB-49 was the jet-propelled variant of the company's XB-35 bomber. Eight Allison J35 engines, each delivering 3,750 pounds of thrust, gave the flying wing a top speed of 510 mph, or more than 100 mph faster than its prop-driven predecessor. Flight testing revealed stability problems which could not be corrected with existing technology. The second aircraft crashed on June 5, 1948, killing its five-man crew. Edwards AFB was subsequently named for one of its crew members, Capt. Glen W. Edwards. The YB-49 was the "wrong plane at the wrong time," getting trapped in the transition between propeller-driven and jet-powered aircraft. The program was canceled by the Air Force in 1949.
The Northrop Corp. proposed a modification to the YB-49 Flying Wing bomber , called the YRB-49A. Although its small radar signature had been noticed during tests during the late 1940s, it was the YB-49’s high altitude and long-range flying abilities that gave it consideration as a spy plane. The plane promised a 400-mph cruise speed at 35,000 feet. (It was during a 1948 test flight of the YB-49 that whom Edwards Air Force Base is named, was killed with his four crew Capt. Glen Edwards, for members.)

Length 53 ft Height 15 ft Wingspan 172 ft Wing Area 4000 Sq Ft 372 Sq M Weight 193,938 lbs / 87,953 Kg Propulsion 8 Allison J35-A-15 Range 3155 miles / 5080 Km Cruise Speed 419 mph / 674 Km/H / 364 Kt Max Speed 493 Mph 793.00 Km/H 429 Kt Ceiling 40700 Feet / 12400 M

couldn't remember the letters didge... xb/yb
thanks for the nudge, never was much good on old planes!

Originally Posted by NBs

couldn't remember the letters didge... xb/yb
thanks for the nudge, never was much good on old planes!

Aren't they beautiful, for planes designed in the 1940's & 1950's?
They would look modern today, especially the jet propelled one.

Don't know much about them, I just look at the pictures!
Did any ever make it into service?

Originally Posted by NBs

Did any ever make it into service?

It's all in the info I posted above, have a butchers.

Do I get half a prezzie for getting one of the planes?

Look for a documentary called "The Wing Will Fly" A 2 hour feature on the XB and YB flying wings. Tells how hard Northrop had to work to get the plane built when no one in upper govenment levels thought it would fly. There were plans for a commercial aviation version too. It tells how just before he died the Skunkworks team was allowed to show a Jack Northrop a model of the modern flying wing stealth bomber that wouuld be going in production. They said he just sat there and held the model and ran his hands over it.

Have a look at the Armstrong Whitworth AW 52 too. Another flying wing design, also first flew in 1947. Very nice.

Originally Posted by Byron Kauffman

They said he just sat there and held the model and ran his hands over it.

Please tell me there's only one object in this sentence. Still, if it were my life's work coming to fruition, I probably would too. Aaargh, now you've got me started!

Originally Posted by abbeyalto

Please tell me there's only one object in this sentence. Still, if it were my life's work coming to fruition, I probably would too. Aaargh, now you've got me started!

He (Jack Northrop), held the model airplane. They didnt mention him holding anything else.
Sorry about the incorrect use of "English"
I am a artist and don't need proper grammer. I draw pictures if needed.