XB-42 & XB-43 Mix and Jetmaster Pictures

[TAdan]

I have not seen any pictures of the XB-42 and XB-43 since their transfer to the NMUSAF. I took these shots during my visit at the end of August.

The planes had not been touched by the NMUSAF staff yet, so they are in as delivered condition. I may have gotten some of the pictures mixed up...cause the airframes are very similar.

Here is the JetMaster.








Bomb Bay





And here is the MixMaster





Bomb bay (lean your head to the right) There looks to be piece of the airframe strapped into the bomb bay.



Interesting damage on the bomb bay doors.







Side by side main gear.

[Rick65]

Great photos of a pair of fascinating planes - thanks
One of the negatives to the jet age is the planes that got superseded before they were proven.
A bit tlike a story that is missing the end (and the middle?)
i wonder if the XB-42 engine and drive system would have been subject to a myriad of teething problems.

[Kdmoo]

Great shots. Thanks for posting the rare birds.

Kevin

[lmritger]

Ok, now this is seriously cool. BOTH birds at the NMUSAF? They did an amazing job on the XP-75 and I cannot help but think they'll do an equally outstanding job on these incredibly rare and delightful aircraft. Will they be part of the Research Hall exhibits? Seems to be the best place for them...

Thanks for posting!

Lynn

(PS: How were things going with Swoose and the Belle?)

[Pat Carry]

Thanks for the photos. They have their work cut out for them!

[Pat Carry]

Ok, now this is seriously cool. BOTH birds at the NMUSAF? They did an amazing job on the XP-75 and I cannot help but think they'll do an equally outstanding job on these incredibly rare and delightful aircraft. Will they be part of the Research Hall exhibits? Seems to be the best place for them...

Thanks for posting!

Lynn

(PS: How were things going with Swoose and the Belle?)

For a comprehensive update on the Belle & Swoose check Scott Thompson's latest update at www.aerovintage.com/b17news.htm

[lowpass]

Does anyone have any photos of these planes when they were in operation?

[Pat Carry]

Goggle/images has quite a few photos.

[Second Air Force]

Somewhere in a book I've seen a photo or two of the XB-42 chained down on the apron at Pyote near the Enola Gay before the museum aircraft were moved.

Thanks for posting these great pictures--the XB-42 and 43 have always been a couple of my favorites.

Scott

[jdvoss]

TADan:

Great shots indeed!! I am curious as to which of the five WWII era Douglas Plants produced these prototype aircraft. I have the feeling that it was either Santa Monica or Long Beach. Would you by chance have taken another photgraph that captures aircraft type & S/N that is stenciled under the left cockpit? If it's something like XB-42-DO it's Santa Monica, if XB-42-DL it's Long Beach.

Thanks,
John

[Todd Hackbarth]

Four photos of XB-42A 43-50225 taken in December of 1945 can be found in the LIFE magazine photo archives by searching for Mixmaster or DC-8! If I remember correctly, Douglas first assigned the DC-8 designation to a proposed civilian version of the XB-42 and/or XB-43!
These four pictures can be accessed directly at:
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l? ... s%3Disch:1
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l? ... 8f8cd2bc57
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l? ... 9628b764b0
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l? ... 9628b764b0

Be sure to click on View full size

Todd

[Second Air Force]

I just looked at those images Todd linked to and couldn't help but see the family resemblance between these two bombers and the F3D.

S

[Mark Nankivil]

Greetings All -

Here's a few of the XB-42 back in the day....

Enjoy the day! Mark

[Mark Nankivil]

...and of the XB-43...

Enjoy the Day! Mark

[Second Air Force]

Excellent photos, Mark.

Seeing that first photo of the XB-42 during the gear retraction cycle got me to thinking about a one-time customer of mine. I was doing a gear swing on his 172RG and he mentioned how "interesting" it was that Cessna designed their spamcan retractable gear configuration. When I suggested it had already been done he didn't believe me.......I wish I'd had this photo to confirm my suggestion!

A question about the XB-42 pass with the hangar in the background--do you know where that picture was taken? It's a great shot of the standard heavy bombardment type Sub-Depot hangar.

Scott