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.[:D]
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)
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…
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…
yep, it’s got to be the Valkyrie…!
Three votes in a row - XB-70…
Make that 4, XB-70 would have been one of the best bombers in the USAF.
Semper Fi
Bryce
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…
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
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.
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!
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?
Valkyrie spoken here too! 
- Ed
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[:D]
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.
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…
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.
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…
What about the six-engined Junkers Ju-390? It was the german bomber that flew “close” (~190 km) to New York city in 1945…
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