Experimental bombers

Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Experimental bombers

Posted by Woody on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 6:28 PM

The response to my post about experimental fighters was so informative and entertaining, I want to pose the same question about bombers. What is the experimental bomber that you wish had made the cut and become an operational aircraft? For me, I chose the Northrop YB-35 flying wing. Big Smile [:D]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 6:44 PM

hey woody, great thread
Id say the B.A.C TSR 2, same era as the Avro Arrow, this was the plane that gave us terrain following radar, years ahead of its time. I wish it had entered service, like the Arrow!!

'VODKA IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THINNING GUNZE'
(although the prices these days would make you wonder)

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 10:09 PM

I'd have to go with the XBLR-2, better known as the XB-19. I've got a thing for USAAC birds in general, and the B-19 was such a massive machine as to be awe inspiring in that regard alone. There are bigger aircraft today, but none can match the majestic air surrounding the B-19.

As a second choice, I'd go with the XBLR-1, also known as the XB-15.

Here's a link to a page on the USAF Museum site that deals with bombers. Scroll down until you get to the XB-15 and/or the XB-19 for some general info on both.

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/bomber2.htm

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 1:32 AM

My vote has to go to the XB-70 Valkyrie. Even in it's experimental stage it looked incredible...imagine what it would have looked like after a few years of tweaks and upgrades. Oh well I suppose we can't have everything we want...

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djmodels1999

Member since
December 2002
From: United Kingdom / Belgium

Posted by djmodels1999 on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 2:07 AM

yep, it's got to be the Valkyrie..!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 4:41 AM

Three votes in a row - XB-70....

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 6:02 AM

Make that 4, XB-70 would have been one of the best bombers in the USAF.

Semper Fi
Bryce

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 7:02 AM

Hey I'm glad there are some other Valkyrie supporters out there! Now the million dollar question: Does anyone know if there is a 1:72 scale plastic model kit of the Valkyrie around? In South Africa I can only get the 1:144 scale which is really not any concilation!! In fact I think it's all a cruel joke or conspiracy! I suppose this does not really fit the topic but here goes...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 7:05 AM

If you ever go to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, they have the only surviving Valkyrie. It sure is beautiful. My dad and I were there a few years ago and I could not believe how big it was. I can see how a F-104 could get sucked though the engines.

Semper Fi
Bryce

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 10:09 AM

I am not sure if this one would be considered a Bomber, Patrol Bomber, Sea Plane or what, but I like the P-6M Sea Master. The aircraft actually did better than the B-47 in fly off comp.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 7:37 PM

Hi Berny, Wasn't the P-6M set up to be a mine layer? If that is the case I sure would call it a bomber! They are sharp planes, maybe an experimental sea plane thread is in order!

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 8:17 PM

The P-6M did have a sealed water proof bombay. It had to carry something in the bombay, if it had made it into production. Who said a bomber has to be able to take off from land or a hard deck any way?

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 9:18 PM

Valkyrie spoken here too! :) - Ed

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 9:29 PM

I see a trend developing! The Valkyrie at the museum is truely a national treasure. It would make my top 10 list for sure. It looks so fast, I wonder how many sparrows could be hung under those wings? Hee Hee Big Smile [:D]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 17, 2003 5:37 AM

There are still a couple of Valkrye 72nd scale ERTL kits here in Ausrtralia for around $100 aussie dollars (thats $50 US). Go to www.frontlinehobbies.com and search for the Valkrye. I was in Frontline last week a saw a kit. Nothing is as awesome as the XB-70.

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Thursday, April 17, 2003 9:04 AM

Geez, originality abound...

Anyhoo, the XB-70 at the USAF Museum is, indeed, a sight to behold. It's kinda tough to get a really good take on the thing, 'cuz the display hangar it's in is pretty crowded now, but with the new building open for business soon things should be spaced out a bit more evenly.

Every time I see that great white bird, I still am awestruck. Elevator going UP!

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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TomZ2

Member since
January 2003
From: Washington, DC

Posted by TomZ2 on Friday, May 9, 2003 10:45 AM

I don't know if this is diverging or converging, but the September 1999 issue of Air & Space Magazine had as its cover story "XB-70 The Legend and the Legacy". There's a nice cutaway drawing [that should have been rendered in larger scale as a foldout!] that shows the spars, stringers, & honeycombs [hint!]. And in-re Bryce's, "I could not believe how big it was", there's a vignette about visitors entering the hanger and complaining that the plane was missing, only to be told, "look up!". It's THAT big.

Occasional factual, grammatical, or spelling variations are inherent to this thesis and should not be considered as defects, as they enhance the individuality and character of this document.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 9, 2003 11:22 AM

The Germans had a ton of x-planes and working models going for them. I liked the look of the F-W TA-400 bomber, www.luft46.com/fw/fwta400.html
If old Adolf would have started developement a few years sooner...well...

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convair

Member since
January 2003

Posted by convair on Friday, May 9, 2003 4:11 PM

What about the six-engined Junkers Ju-390? It was the german bomber that flew "close" (~190 km) to New York city in 1945...

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rdxpress

Member since
May 2003

Posted by rdxpress on Friday, May 9, 2003 10:38 PM

The B-49 Should have been built instead of the aluminum overcast (Ahhh
politics....) They could have been reengined as tech improved and then there
would never have been a Buff or Hustler either! The B-70 could have been
a later supliment to the 49's (High/low-Fast/slow) much like the AF is using B-1, B-2 and Buffs today! The forward fuselage/cockpit of the 3rd 70 was sill being used for fire training 10 yrs ago!
Good HUnting,
rdxpress

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 9, 2003 11:18 PM

Either the A-12 AvengerII or the A-6F Intruder II.
Those two were the bomber/mud movers I would like to see fly!
I still think they need to reproduce and recommission the A-6E, the "Super Hornet" simply can't work as good as the A-6E!! That and the Thud, no plane has ever been a better ground-based strike fighter, before or after. The mere fact that ANY thuds survived Vietnam, considering they were some of the only USAF combatants, is a testament to their superiority to anything we have now!

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fuzzy

Member since
May 2003
From: Lewisburg , Tenn

Posted by fuzzy on Friday, May 9, 2003 11:43 PM

The YB-49 gets my vote. Way ahead of it's time and it
flew without all of the computers that the B-2 has. Cool [8D]

fuzzy

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Saturday, May 10, 2003 12:04 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by rdxpress

The B-49 Should have been built instead of the aluminum overcast (Ahhh
politics....) They could have been reengined as tech improved and then there
would never have been a Buff or Hustler either! The B-70 could have been
a later supliment to the 49's (High/low-Fast/slow) much like the AF is using B-1, B-2 and Buffs today! The forward fuselage/cockpit of the 3rd 70 was sill being used for fire training 10 yrs ago!
Good HUnting,
rdxpress

A big yes to the B-49, I really like flying wings! Now the statement about no Hustler, well that would have been a shame. Please explain how a strategic bomber would have nullified the mach 2 nuclear strike bomber program. The ballistic missle was the bane of the Hustler. Big Smile [:D]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Saturday, May 10, 2003 1:00 PM

Hi Woody good question. I have to agree with HeAvYMaGZ on this one. The TSR2 was a bomber but on its first flight to warton it was flying with an EE Lightning chase plane. The Lightning pilot put both avons to full re,heat the TSR2 pilot only put one on re,heat ond it left the Lightning like it was stood still. not bad for a mud mover and a prototype at that. I must admit though that i am a bit biast because my grandad worked on both types. Gregers

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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JGUIGNARD

Member since
March 2003
From: USA

Posted by JGUIGNARD on Saturday, May 10, 2003 1:33 PM

I have to give my vote to the B-49. I can't help but think that any problems that supposedly made it a lousy bombing platform could have been worked out pretty quickly. Only my opinion, but I believe the main thing that stood in the way of any problems being solved was politics.

Jim

Most of us are acquainted with at least one "know-it-all". He may be as close as the mirror. [}:)]

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Saturday, May 10, 2003 2:29 PM

Howdy gregers, I have a great love of experimental A/C and there is a TSR2 kit in 1/72 on my to build pile. The only thing slowing me down on that awesome bird is good photo reference! If you or anyone out there have good photos that you could email me I would be in your debt. If you have read the thread about most sexy plane of all time, the TSR2 got my vote! We need a great 1/72 injection kit of this plane. MPM, Sword, or other quality limited run producer listening? Cool [8D]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 10, 2003 6:39 PM

Woody - I'd like to see one of those guys do a 1/72 TSR-2 as well! I had an old crappy vac kit that wasn't too buildable and then there was that resin kit (way too much$$$) I saw the TSR-2 at Duxford years ago it looks like it's going mach-2 just sitting there!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 10, 2003 6:44 PM

Gotta be the TSR 2, but as a Wartonite, I guess I'm a bit predjudiced!

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Saturday, May 10, 2003 7:03 PM

HIYA WOODY Unfortunatly i have no photos of the TSR2 because the only time i have seen one my camera went u/s. I was at duxford i used 4 films and didnt find out till i went to get the films developed. i dont know if duxford has a web site but try imperial war museum on your search engine there may be photos on it. hope this helps and i will keep my eyes open for sites for you.....cheers Gregers p.s my vote for the sexiest plane was the hunter (AWSOME AIRCRAFT)... Gregers

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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rdxpress

Member since
May 2003

Posted by rdxpress on Saturday, May 10, 2003 10:48 PM

Woody,
The B-58 was probably in the pipeline already, (By the way, I do like the 58)
but had the 49 been built the 58 probably have slowed or shelved, Much like
our buddy Jimmy did with the B-1A in favor of waiting for the B-2. Its all a guess
anyway since all these planes weren't built anyway, But I like the What if's ?s
What if the south had won? W.F. Rommel had what he wanted? The Me 262 had been built sooner? ahhhh
Good Hunting,
rdxpress

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