Northrop's XP-79B: A World War II Flying-Wing Experiment

Northrop developed the XP-79B during World War II as an experimental flying-wing fighter associated with the USAAF’s MX-365 project. The design put the pilot in a face-down position and used a welded magnesium-alloy monocoque.

Key details

• The aircraft was initially conceived with rocket propulsion; the XP-79B instead used two Westinghouse 19B turbojet engines.
• Its first flight took place on September 12, 1945, from Muroc.

The XP-79B placed its pilot face-down inside a welded magnesium-alloy structure.

Why it matters

The XP-79B combined an unusual prone cockpit with a magnesium-alloy airframe and a change from proposed rocket power to twin turbojets. Those features set it apart among the experimental aircraft developed during the wartime period.