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The Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet is a unique prototype fighter interceptor built by the Northrop Corporation. It was one of the most radical of the experimental aircraft built during World War II. Ultimately, it was unsuccessful and did not enter production.

Design and development

The initial idea for the XP-56 was quite radical for 1939. It was to have no horizontal tail, only a small vertical tail, used an experimental engine, and be produced using a novel metal, magnesium. The aircraft was to be a wing with a small central fuselage added to house the engine and pilot. It was hoped that this configuration would have less aerodynamic drag than a conventional airplane.

The idea for this single-seat aircraft originated in 1939 as the Northrop N2B model. It was designed around the Pratt & Whitney liquid-cooled X-1800 engine in a pusher configuration driving contra-rotating propellers. The U.S. Army ordered Northrop to begin design work on 22 June 1940, and after reviewing the design ordered a prototype aircraft on 26 September 1940. Shortly after design work had begun, Pratt & Whitney, however, stopped development of the X-1800. The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine was substituted, although it was considered not entirely suitable. The new, engine was more powerful, but it had a larger diameter and required a larger fuselage to house it. This change delayed the program by five months. It was expected that the new engine would require a weight increase and cost in top speed.

Since this tailless design was novel and considered high risk, it was decided to construct a small, lightweight plane of similar configuration for testing called the Model N-1M. In parallel with the design of the XP-56, successful flight trials of the configuration were conducted utilizing this airframe, confirming the basic layout. Two small Lycoming engines powered this aircraft. These trials confirmed the stability of the radical design and, upon review, the Army decided to construct a second prototype, which was ordered on 13 February 1942. Myers was the test pilot for several of Northrop's radical designs during the war.

Second prototype

A number of changes were made to the second prototype, including re-ballasting to move the center-of-gravity forward, increasing the size of the upper vertical tail, and reworking the rudder control linkages. This second prototype was not completed until January 1944.

Specifications (XP-56 estimates)

right|thumb|Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet, S/N 42-38353; second aircraft.

See also

Notes

Bibliography

  • Allen, R.S. The Northrop Story. New York: Orion, 1990. .
  • Andersen, Fred. Northrop - An Aeronautical History: A Commemorative Book Edition of Airplane Designs and Concepts. Century City, California: Northrop Corporation, 1976. Library of Congress nr. 76-22294.
  • Balzer, Gerald H. American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II: XP-54, XP-55, and XP-56. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2008. .
  • Jenkins, Dennis and Tony Landis. Experimental and Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2008. .
  • Maloney, Edward T. Northrop Flying Wings. Buena Park, California: Planes Of Fame Publishers, 1975. .
  • Pape, Gerry, John M. and Donna Campbell. The Flying Wings of Jack Northrop. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer, 1994. .
  • Woolridge, E. T. Winged Wonders - The Story of the Flying Wings. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Press, 1983. .