(Please note: this aircraft is in storage but plans call for public display in September of 2026)
The Douglas XB-42 was the last twin-engine propeller-driven bomber tested by the U.S. Army Air Forces. Originally designated the XA-42, this bomber was tied to the development of the Boeing B-29. Because of their great expense, USAAF planners did not want to use the B-29 strategic bombers for tactical missions. They needed a fast but economical light bomber with the range of a B-29. In April 1943, Douglas submitted the XB-42 design, and the USAAF ordered two experimental models.
To reduce drag and increase speed and range, the XB-42's radical design housed two Allison V-12 engines inside the fuselage. Two shafts drove counter-rotating pusher propellers, which also reduced drag. The counter-rotating propellers inspired the nickname "Mixmaster" after the popular kitchen mixer. The Mixmaster's first flight took place in May 1944, and despite a speed of 410 Mph, it failed to meet the projected speed or range. Even before that first flight, the USAAF asked Douglas to add a Westinghouse 19B-2(later designated J30) turbojet engine under each wing. When the second XB-42 was completely destroyed in a crash during November 1945, Douglas modified the original XB-42 by adding two turbojet engines in nacelles under the wings.
On May 27, 1947, the converted aircraft, redesignated XB-42A, made its first flight. However, the additional turbojet engines proved disappointing, and the extra drag from the turbojets dropped the aircraft's range by almost 650 miles. At Douglas' recommendation, the USAF canceled the XB-42A project in favor of its all-jet XB-43 project in Nov. 1938. This aircraft(serial number 43-50224) came to the National Museum of the USAF in 2010.
Technical Notes:
Crew: Three (pilot, copilot-gunner, bombardier)
Armament: Six .50 cal machine guns; 8,000 lbs. of bombs
Engine: Two Allison V-1710-33 V-2 of 1,800hp each and two Westinghouse 19B-2 turbojets of 1 600lbs. thrust each
Maximum speed: 488mph
Range: 4,740 miles
Ceiling: 29,400ft.
Wingspan: 70ft. 6in.
Length: 53ft. 7in.
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