Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

John K. "Jack" Northrop's dream of an all-wing aircraft became a reality on July 3, 1940, when his N-1M (Northrop Model 1 Mockup) first flew. Northrop was also the designer of famous aircraft such as the Lockheed Vega and Northrop Alpha. He believed that all-wing aircraft would be more efficient than conventional tailed aircraft encumbered with non-lifting components such as the fuselage and tail.

Northop company crafts persons built the N-1M using plywood to cover a tubular steel airframe. The two 65-horsepower Lycoming engines that first powered the wing were later replaced with two 120-horsepower Franklins. The N-1M was always underpowered but the lessons learned when test pilots flew the wing led Northrop to build the XB-35 and YB-49 prototype heavy bombers.

Display Status

This object is on display in World War II Aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

World War II Aviation
Object Details
Date 1940 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Aircraft Manufacturer Northrop Aircraft Inc.
Physical Description Twin engine flying wing: Wood, painted yellow. 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)
Materials Plywood
Inventory Number A19600302000 Credit Line Transferred from the US Air Force Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.