Соқпақты қанатты ұшақ прототипі: Northrop XP-79

Prototype flying wing fighter aircraft

The Northrop XP 79, USAAF project number MX 365, was a rocket and jet powered flying wing fighter aircraft, designed by Northrop. The pilot operated the aircraft in a prone position, permitting him to withstand much greater g forces in pitch. It also used a welded magnesium monocoque structure instead of riveted aluminum.

In 1942, Jack Northrop conceived the XP 79 as a high speed rocket powered flying wing fighter aircraft. In January 1943, a contract for two prototypes under the XP 79 designation was issued by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). It was planned to use a thrust XCALR 2000A 1 "rotojet" rocket motor from Aerojet that used mono ethylaniline fuel and red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) oxidizer. However, the rocket motor, which used canted rockets to drive turbo pumps was unsatisfactory and the aircraft was fitted with two Westinghouse 19B turbojets and re designated XP 79B. The XP 79 was built using a welded magnesium alloy monocoque structure with a leading edge thickness of which thinned out to at the trailing edge. The pilot controlled the XP 79 through a tiller bar and intakes mounted at the wingtips supplied air for the unusual bellows boosted split elevons which opened differentially to provide lateral (yaw) control, by increasing drag on one side of the aircraft, in addition to providing roll and pitch. Flight testing was concluded by 1 August 1944 and the two remaining aircraft were disposed of. MX 334 no.3 was written off on its second flight, on 10 November 1943, after Harry Crosby lost control in the prop wash of the P 38 tug.

Following delays due to burst tires and brake problems during taxiing trials at Muroc dry lake, the XP 79B made its first flight on 12 September 1945, however, 15 minutes into the flight control was lost for unknown reasons while performing a slow roll. The nose dropped, and the roll continued with the aircraft impacting the ground in a vertical spin. Test pilot Harry Crosby had attempted to bail out but was struck by the aircraft and died. Shortly thereafter, the project was canceled along with work on the second prototype.