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Official Photos - USAF Various Prop
This page contains photos of various USAF prop type test aircraft. All North Spin photographs are Copyright © by the photographers that took them, and are not to be re-posted or redistributed.

Subject: A-20C - USAF - Serial #41-19187
Location: Wright-Patterson AFB, OH?
Date: ?/?/1942
Credit: USAF

Notes: The Douglas built A-20C Havoc is pictured being flown by Glen Edwards. Many of these aircraft ended up going to the Soviet Union.


Subject: XB-35's on the Ground at Northrop
Location: Northrop Field - Hawthorne, CA
Date: ?/?/1948
Credit: USAF

Notes: The USAF initially ordered 15 B-35's, including two experimental planes and 13 FSD versions.  An order for 200 production models was eventually canceled. In this photo, YB-35's are seen being converted to XB-49 models.


Subject: XB-35 - Northrop - Serial #42-13603
Location: Northrop Field - Hawthorne, CA
Date: 6/25/1946
Credit: USAF

Notes: The first XB-35 is seen taking off on its maiden flight, from Northrop Field to Muroc AFB, CA.


Subject: XB-35 - Northrop - Serial #42-13603
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Date: 6/25/1946
Credit: USAF

Notes: This photo shows the first XB-35 airborne on its maiden flight, taken from the P-61 chase plane. 


Subject: XB-35 - Northrop - Serial #?
Location: N/A
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: An underside view of the XB-35.


Subject: XB-35 - Northrop - Serial #?
Location: N/A
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: A shot showing the nose and front landing gear of the aircraft.


Subject: XB-35 - Northrop - Serial #?
Location: Northrop Field - Hawthorne, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: An XB-35 prepares for takeoff.


Subject: XF-84H - AFFTC - Serial #51-17059
Location: Edwards AFB. CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: Many versions of the F-84 were tested, including this turboprop test-bed. Two XF-84H prototypes were built... #059 was the first and #51-17060 was the second. The aircraft were fitted with a 5,332 hp Allison XT40-A-1 engine that rotated the prop at supersonic speeds. A high tail lifted the horizontal stabs above the turbulent air that the prop created. The first flight was piloted by Henry Beaird at Edwards 7/22/1955.


Subject: XF-84H - AFFTC - Serial #51-17059
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: A maximum speed of 520 mph in the XF-84H was the fastest speed ever achieved by a propeller aircraft, but was well below the planned maximum of 670 mph. Another negative was that the engine noise afflicted pilots and ground crews with severe nausea. It was found that this was due to subliminal vibrations, and the aircraft was soon nicknamed the Thunderscreech.


Subject: B-26C - AFFTC - Serial #44-35577
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/1951
Credit: USAF

Notes: The Douglas built B-26C Invader was originally designated the A-26... Not to be confused with the Martin B-26. Replacing the Martin plane in the postwar years, the Invader took over its designation in June 1948. #577 is seen sitting on the Test Pilot School ramp.


Subject: C-2 Radio Lab Test Aircraft - USAAF - Serial #?
Location: Wright Field, OH
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: This Atlantic-Fokker C-2 was used as a radio lab test aircraft.


Subject: Y1A-18 - USAAF - Serial #37-0052 (#52)
Location: Wright Field, OH
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: The first of twelve Curtiss built Y1A-18 "Shrike" prototype aircraft is seen being tested over the skies of Ohio. Note the Wright Field arrowhead logo.




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