military-aircraft-xb-51

In the mid 1940s, the US Army Air Force (soon to become the US Air Force) issued a requirement for a jet powered light bomber optimized for the close support role, and Martin responded with its Model 234 design which was ordered as the XA-45 attack prototype. Further evolution of the concept led to the type being recast as a medium attack bomber with the designation XB-51. The first of two prototype flew in October 1949 as a highly unusual mid wing monoplane with a crew of two in a fighter type cockpit, a variable incidence wing and a 35 degree sweep angle on all flying surfaces, including the T-tail. The most unusual feather, however, was the power plant ao three 5,820-lb thrust J47 turbojets. One unit was located in the tail and aspirated via a dorsal inlet. The other two units were pylon mounted low on each side of the forward fuselage between the cockpit and wing leading edges. The type had a braking parachute and provision for JATO (jet assisted take off) units. Despite its great reliability the type had handling problems. Its concept was soon overtaken by more modern aircraft, so the XB-51 never came into production.

Description	Specifications
Manufacturer: Martin	Length: 80 ft. 0 in.
First Flight: October 1949	Height: 17 ft. 0 in.
Model: XB-51	Wing Span: 55 ft. 0 in.
Crew: Two.	Wing Area:
Nickname:	Empty Weight:
Basic Role: Medium attack bomber prototype.	Max. Weight: 55,923 lb.
Other Versions: XB-51 Attack bomber prototype.	Armament: Eight fixed 20-mm cannon, and up to 10,400 lb of bombs.
Principal User: USA.	Propulsion
Performance	Power Plant: General Electric J47-GE-13 turbojets.
Range: 1,613 miles	Horsepower: 5,820-lb thrust.
Max. Speed: 645 mph. at sea level.	No. Of Engines: Three
Ceiling: 45,000 ft.
Climb Rate: