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Description
*** not my photo ***

northrop flying wing, circa 1950

not sure which specific model this is. the b-49 flying wing began in the 1940s as the xb-35 prototype, which originally had four piston engines with contra-rotating propellers, later changed to conventional props. then, after the war, the airframes were re-engined with eight turbojets. these were intended as bombers, but were unsatisfactory for several reasons. the final version, a reconnaissance prototype, had four jets in the wing and two more on pods. this photo would appear to be a later recon version, yet it is dropping a bomb. in any event, there were never many airframes produced and the program was cancelled.

the program was reincarnated years later as today's b-2 stealth bomber.

original photo:

Description
*** not my photo ***

northrop flying wing, circa 1950

not sure which specific model this is. the b-49 flying wing began in the 1940s as the xb-35 prototype, which originally had four piston engines with contra-rotating propellers, later changed to conventional props. then, after the war, the airframes were re-engined with eight turbojets. these were intended as bombers, but were unsatisfactory for several reasons. the final version, a reconnaissance prototype, had four jets in the wing and two more on pods. this photo would appear to be a later recon version, yet it is dropping a bomb. in any event, there were never many airframes produced and the program was cancelled.

the program was reincarnated years later as today's b-2 stealth bomber.

original photo: