The N9MB Flying Wing

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TheGreenGoblin
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The N9MB Flying Wing

#1 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:34 pm

The Northrop N-9M was an approximately one-third scale, 60-ft span all-wing aircraft used for the development of the full size, 172-ft wingspan Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 flying wing long-range, heavy bomber. First flown in 1942, the N-9M (M for Model) was the third in a lineage of all-wing Northrop aircraft designs that began in 1929 when Jack Northrop succeeded in early experiments with his single pusher propeller, twin-tailed, twin-boom, all stressed metal skin Northrop X-216H monoplane,and a decade later, the dual-propeller N-1M of 1939–1941. Northrop's pioneering all-wing aircraft would lead Northrop Grumman many years later to eventually develop the advanced B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which debuted in 1989 in US Air Force inventory.
Northrop N9M
When Northrop's Flying Wing bomber program was canceled, all remaining N-9M flight test aircraft, except for the final N-9MB, were scrapped. For more than three decades, it slowly deteriorated until the Chino, California Planes of Fame Air Museum acquired the aircraft in 1982 and began the labor-intensive restoration process. For the next two decades, former Northrop employees and other volunteers restored the N-9MB to its final flight configuration. Since 1993, the yellow-and-blue Flying Wing has been exhibited, with flight demonstrations at several airshows every year.

In April 2006, the N-9MB suffered an in-flight engine fire. The aircraft was landed safely with limited damage. Donations to the museum were solicited for its repair, and the aircraft was fully repaired to flight status. It was flown again during the annual Chino airshow on 15–16 May 2010.

On 22 April 2019, N-9MB was destroyed shortly after takeoff, when it crashed into a prison yard in Norco, California.



Sadly (as noted above) the last existing aircraft was destroyed and its pilot killed after a (possibly inadvertent, engine out) barrel roll resulted in a stall spin situation...

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2019/04/n ... fatal.html
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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#2 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:48 pm

Final NTSB report not completed yet...

https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/Search.aspx? ... %2C%20N9MB
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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#3 Post by PHXPhlyer » Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:57 pm

I was fortunate to see it fly at an open house display at Chino about 20 years ago. The pilot was also a B-2 pilot.
He gave a talk before the flight comparing the two , which I , unfortunately, missed due to my flight into nearby Ontario (KONT) being late. ~X( :((
In a small consolation, I got a personalized walk around of the plane by one of its mechanics. :-bd
I have also seen the N1M a number of times at the NASM Annex at Dulles (KIAD). :-bd

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-o ... 9600302000

Northrop N1M
https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService? ... g&max=3000
Display Status:
This object is on display in the World War II Aviation (UHC) at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.



Collection Item Summary:
John K. "Jack" Northrop's dream of a flying wing became a reality on July 3, 1940, when his N-1M (Northrop Model 1 Mockup) first flew. One of the world's preeminent aircraft designers and creator of the Lockheed Vega and Northrop Alpha, Northrop had experimented with flying wings for over a decade, believing they would have less drag and greater efficiency than conventional designs. His 1929 flying wing, while successful, had twin tail booms and a conventional tail. In the N-1M he created a true flying wing.

Built of plywood around a tubular steel frame, the N-1M was powered by two 65-horsepower Lycoming engines, later replaced with two 120-horsepower Franklins. While its flying characteristics were marginal, the N-1M led to other designs, including the Northrop XB-35 and YB-49 strategic bombers and ultimately the B-2 stealth bomber.


World War II Aviation (UHC)
Date
1940
Inventory Number
A19600302000
Physical Description
Twin engine flying wing: Wood, painted yellow.
Credit Line
Transferred from the US Air Force
Manufacturer
Northrop Aircraft Inc.
Country of Origin
United States of America
Materials
Overall: Plywood
Dimensions
Wingspan: 11.6 m (38 ft)
Length: 5.2 m (17 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Weight, gross: 1,814 kg (4,000 lb)
Top speed: 322 km/h (200 mph)
Engine: 2 Franklin 6AC264F2, 120 hp
Overall: 72in. (182.9cm)
Other: 72 x 204 x 456in. (182.9 x 518.2 x 1158.2cm)
Data Source

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#4 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:04 pm

PHXPhlyer wrote:
Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:57 pm
I was fortunate to see it fly at an open house display at Chino about 20 years ago. The pilot was also a B-2 pilot.
He gave a talk before the flight comparing the two , which I , unfortunately, missed due to my flight into nearby Ontario (KONT) being late. ~X( :((
In a small consolation, I got a personalized walk around of the plane by one of its mechanics. :-bd
I have also seen the N1M a number of times at the NASM Annex at Dulles (KIAD). :-bd

Collection Item Summary:
John K. "Jack" Northrop's dream of a flying wing became a reality on July 3, 1940, when his N-1M (Northrop Model 1 Mockup) first flew. One of the world's preeminent aircraft designers and creator of the Lockheed Vega and Northrop Alpha, Northrop had experimented with flying wings for over a decade, believing they would have less drag and greater efficiency than conventional designs. His 1929 flying wing, while successful, had twin tail booms and a conventional tail. In the N-1M he created a true flying wing.

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#5 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:18 pm

I was privileged to see the B1 fly in for the Waterkloof airshow in my hometown Pretoria back back in the 90's. Lady USAF pilot in command if my memory serves me correctly. Most extraordinary looking aircraft.

The Russians recently put in an appearance in SA...



B1 often to be seen here in the UK...,



I guess the B2 is still pretty much classified... Jack Northrop must be smiling down beneficently now... "he done good" despite all his travails... "
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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#6 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:33 pm

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You must have somewhere
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Your destination remains
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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#7 Post by PHXPhlyer » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:36 pm

Saw B-1, B-2, B-52, F-117 and almost every other aircraft in the USAF inventory do a flyby at Nellis AFB on the 50th anniversary of the formation of USAF.
In addition, the show featured performances by The Thunderbirds, Canadian Snowbirds, The Red Arrows, The Tricolori, Blue Impulse, and if memory serves, The Brazilian Smoke Squadron and, I think, one other.
Also, flybys by numerous WW I, WW II, and Korean War aircraft.
Probably the greatest assemblage of flying aircraft ever.

PP

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#8 Post by PHXPhlyer » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:39 pm

The Air Force did right by taking Jack Northrup out to see a B2 fly a short time before his death.

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#9 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:45 pm

PHXPhlyer wrote:
Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:36 pm
Saw B-1, B-2, B-52, F-117 and almost every other aircraft in the USAF inventory do a flyby at Nellis AFB on the 50th anniversary of the formation of USAF.
In addition, the show featured performances by The Thunderbirds, Canadian Snowbirds, The Red Arrows, The Tricolori, Blue Impulse, and if memory serves, The Brazilian Smoke Squadron and, I think, one other.
Also, flybys by numerous WW I, WW II, and Korean War aircraft.
Probably the greatest assemblage of flying aircraft ever.

PP
Must have been an extraordinary show. Have never seen the B-2 or the F-117 and have only seen The Red Arrows and The Tricolori

The USAF have a wonderful pavilion/static display at Duxford that includes an SR71. Highly recommend a visit when things get back to normal

In non Covid blighted times you could go and listen to talks by guys like this...

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#10 Post by PHXPhlyer » Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:52 pm

Thanks for the reminder.
The SR71 was part of the flyby. :-bd
Saw one in the "wild" being refueled over the mountains of Idaho in the late 70's before they were readily acknowledged and another over the Grand Canyon while on a kayaking trip. :YMAPPLAUSE:

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#11 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:07 pm

PHXPhlyer wrote:
Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:52 pm
Thanks for the reminder.
The SR71 was part of the flyby. :-bd
Saw one in the "wild" being refueled over the mountains of Idaho in the late 70's before they were readily acknowledged and another over the Grand Canyon while on a kayaking trip. :YMAPPLAUSE:

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#12 Post by ian16th » Sun Feb 14, 2021 2:20 pm

TheGreenGoblin wrote:
Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:18 pm
I was privileged to see the B1 fly in for the Waterkloof airshow in my hometown Pretoria back back in the 90's. Lady USAF pilot in command if my memory serves me correctly. Most extraordinary looking aircraft.
Yes it did have a lady driver!

I was allowed to climb up and look around inside, unescorted!

I was there on a non-public day, ticket supplied courtesy of being a SAAFA member.
Cynicism improves with age

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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#13 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sun Feb 14, 2021 2:45 pm

ian16th wrote:
Sun Feb 14, 2021 2:20 pm
TheGreenGoblin wrote:
Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:18 pm
I was privileged to see the B1 fly in for the Waterkloof airshow in my hometown Pretoria back back in the 90's. Lady USAF pilot in command if my memory serves me correctly. Most extraordinary looking aircraft.
Yes it did have a lady driver!

I was allowed to climb up and look around inside, unescorted!

I was there on a non-public day, ticket supplied courtesy of being a SAAFA member.
I didn't get that close. We were in SA in pursuit of ex-SAAF Harvard's at the time. :)
Though you remain
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You must have somewhere
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Your destination remains
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Re: The N9MB Flying Wing

#14 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:47 am

And what of the B21?


B21 Raider


Though you remain
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"To be alive
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Your destination remains
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