All X-Bombers and X-Fighters in one place

Few things capture the aerospace imagination like experimental aircraft. And few went to the edge like the United States Air Force.

Steve Pace’s new book, The Big Book of X-Bombers and X-Fighters, showcases all of the USAF jet-powered X-bombers and X-fighters that have flown since 1942. More than 90 aircraft, including a few “could have been” and a few “what may be.”

This left-hand side view of an XP-59A illustrates one aspect of this secret project: there’s no USAAF serial number stenciled on its vertical tail. Serial numbers were applied later, though they were out of sequence—the next thirteen YP-59As were numbered 42-108771 to 42-108783, while the preceding trio of XP-59As were numbered higher (rather than lower) with the serial numbers 42-108784, 42-108785, and 42-108786. NMUSAF. — This left-hand side view of an XP-59A illustrates one aspect of this secret project: There’s no USAAF serial number stenciled on its vertical tail. Serial numbers were applied later, though they were out of sequence—the next 13 YP-59As were numbered 42-108771 to 42-108783, while the preceding trio of XP-59As were numbered higher (rather than lower) with the serial numbers 42-108784, 42-108785, and 42-108786. NMUSAF.

Left-hand (port) view of the XP-79B, clearly showing its left wingtip bellow, used in conjunction with the right wingtip bellow to provide air to the bellows boosted ailerons while in flight. NMUSAF

Northrop test pilot Harry Crosby lies prone in the cockpit of the unpowered MX-334 glider in this rare color photo. WMOF.

The third YF-84F (51-1345) and the YRF-84Fs (51-1828) fly in formation. NMUSAF

All three XF-86s fly in formation. AFTC/HO

The authorization to convert two YB-35s to the YB-49 configuration was given in June 1945. The first YB-49 was accepted in June 1948, the second in May 1949. Operational B-49s were designed to carry up to 16,000 pounds of bombs. One payload configuration was two four-thousand pound general-purpose (G.P.) bombs; another was ten 1,600-pound, all purpose (A.P.) bombs. NMUSAF

The first of three preproduction B-52A aircraft rolls out of the Plant 2 factory in Seattle, Washington. These three B-52A aircraft were used extensively as service test airplanes; they were not considered production aircraft. PMB Collection.

The Big Book of X-Bombers and X-Fighters, from Hachette Book Group Booksellers, is 360 pages with 150 black and white and 150 color images. It is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and anywhere fine books are sold.

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