Northrop YB-49 Flying Wing: books - history and construction

The Flying Wings of Jack Northrop - A Photo Chronicle

This book is an in-depth study covering John K. "Jack" Northrop's quest for a clean flying machine. Covered are: Northrop's initial N-1M project, the N-9M, XP-56, through the B-35 project, B-49 project, and the huge bombers planned only on the drawing board. Included are over 300 black and white and color photographs, as well as drawings and statistical data on all of the Northrop flying wing and tailless aircraft.

Northrop Flying Wings

This book charts the history of Jack Northrop's flying wings, some of the most spectacular flying machines ever to grace the skies. Written off by many as something of an interesting dead-end that was investigated and found to be little more than a byway to mainstream conventional aeronautics, the fundamental design lessons learnt in the process of developing these craft were to provide the basis for a raft of new designs, moving forwards into the second half of the twentieth century.

During the 1970s, with an ever-growing need to find a new strategic bomber to replace the B-52 Superfortress, the flying wing design was brought to the fore once again.
The B-2 Spirit was born out of this, continuing the legacy of this most stealthy design. This craft, along with the B-35, the incredible eight-engined YB-49 and the YRB-49A, are all highlighted; detailed analyses of each design, set within a wider historical context, make for a compelling record of this landmark design.

Northrop Flying Wings - A History of Jack Northrop's Visionary Aircraft

An in-depth study covering John K. "Jack" Northrop's quest for a clean flying machine. Covered are: Northrop's initial N-1M project, the N-9M, XP-56, through the B-35 project, B-49 project, and the huge bombers planned only on the drawing board. Included are over 300 black and white and color photographs, as well as drawings and statistical data on all of the Northrop flying wing and tailless aircraft.

Northrop Flying Wings (Osprey)

Half a century before the 'flying wing' B-2 stealth bomber entered service, John K. 'Jack' Northrop was already developing prototypes of a large 'flying wing' strategic bomber, which would have been the most radical bombers of their age.

World War II brought a need for very long-range bombers and Northrop received a contract for a 172-ft span bomber, the B-35.
Several of these were built, gradually evolving into the definitive XB-35 configuration. Testing revealed that the aircraft was invisible to radar, but engineers struggled to overcome the design challenges and several pilots were lost in crashes.
While the program was cancelled in the 1950s, the concept extended into other highly innovative areas, such as the XP-56 and MX-324 Rocket Wing prototype fighters.

But the greatest legacy was the first operational flying wing - the Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bomber, which used much of the hard-won experience from the pioneering programs of half a century before.

Northrop YB-49 Flying Wing - Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions

Visionary designer Jack Northrop built a series of experimental "flying wing" aircraft both before and during WWII. One of the most radical designs of the post-war era, the propeller-driven YB-35 bomber's all-wing design minimized drag and promised maximum payload capacity and terrific endurance.

The YB-49, a turbojet powered variant built on the YB-35 airframe, forever altered aviation history and inspired the design of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Originally printed by Northrop Aircraft in 1948, the YB-49 Flying Wing Pilot's Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit.

The manual was declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white.