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In March 1948, a proposal was made to the United States Air Force by Northrop Aircraft, Inc. for a photographic reconnaissance version of the "flying wing." This proposed aircraft was referred to as the RB-49A and the FB-49A, and officially known as the Northrop YRB-49A. This proposal grew out of the failed XB-35 program, and the USAF desperately hoped for the success of this aircraft. However, shortly after an agreement was made in August 1948, the project was abandoned. Disagreements and indecision led to a rocky beginning and only preliminary plans for this aircraft were completed. Once the RB-49A project was abandoned, Northrop focused their efforts on the YRB-49A as a conversion of the YB-35A.
NASM.1995.0069
Northrop Corp
bulk 1948
John Keen Miller, Gift, 1995
0.05 Cubic feet ((1 folder))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of ten 22.5 by 11 inch drawings from Northrop Aircraft, Inc. Included here are eight drawings of the RB-49A and two drawings of the FB-49A.
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Northrop RB-49A and FB-49A Drawings, Accession number 1995-0069, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Northrop RB-49A
Northrop FB-49A
Aeronautics, Military
Photographic reconnaissance systems
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Drawings