Northrop XB-35 & YB-35 "Flying Wing" - A Short History

Video from the channel A Short History about Northrop, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 3:32. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.

A brief overview of the experimental Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 bombers. They were tailless flying wings with no conventional fuselage, developed for the US Army Air Forces during World War II and shortly afterward.

In 1941, Northrop and Consolidated Vultee were commissioned to build a long-range bomber. It needed to be able to strike occupied Europe from America if the United Kingdom fell. Northrop received the order for an XB-35 in November 1941, with an option for a second.

The XB-35 flew in June 1946, but suffered vibrations and propeller failures. By September 1943, thirteen YB-35s had been ordered, and the first flew on 15 May 1948. Two airframes were converted into YB-49s with eight Allison J35 jet engines. The program was cancelled due to technical problems, obsolete piston engines, delays and cost overruns.