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National Air and Space Museum Archives
Northrop RB-49A and FB-49A Drawings
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.1995.0069
- Creators:
-
Northrop Corp
- Dates:
-
bulk 1948
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.05 Cubic feet(1 folder)
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
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.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
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.
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
John Keen Miller, Gift, 1995
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
Northrop RB-49A and FB-49A Drawings, Accession number 1995-0069, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Northrop RB-49A | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Northrop FB-49A | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Aeronautics, Military | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Photographic reconnaissance systems | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Drawings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
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