Friday, June 12, 2026

Northrop YB-49 42-102367 takes off from Northrop Field, Hawthorne

 


8 comments:

  1. Going to drop the A-Bomb on those pesky aliens from Mars.
    - WDS

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    Replies
    1. In later years I wondered, "But how much did the first bomb degrade the Martian shields? Why didn't they have a follow on strike ready?".

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  2. Test pilots are crazy or fearless, maybe both.

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  3. That 42-102367, does that mean the 102,367th Airframe built in 1942? Did not think we had ramped up wartime production that fast.

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    Replies
    1. Ordered (contract issued) in 1942 (no doubt modified at a later date). 102367th aircraft ordered by the then USAAF.

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  4. Can't be 1942, it never flew until after the war, not even as a re-engined B35.

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  5. 42-102367 was the tail number of the first Northrop YB-49 which was a modified YB-35 with eight Allison TG-180 (J35) turbojet engines instead of the original 4 propellers and radial engines.
    First flight was Oct 21 1947.

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