"First Flight Anxiety" by steelrazer
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The Northrop XB-35 was the United States' foray into the technology of the flying wing. First initiated in 1941, the first flight didn't occur until June 25, 1946, too late in the war effort to be used. Germany fell in May of 1945 and Japan soon after in August. Still, the effort resulted, despite the myriad of engine problems and other issues, in a craft that flew! The project was later expanded to the YB-49 which was the same basic design fitted with jet engines. Neither design went any further as interest in the concept waned.
The stealth aspect reignited interest resulting in the Northrop B-2 Spirit Bomber which became operational on December 17,1993.
I found an old model of the XB-35 in my dusty archives and went to work on an imaginary first flight scene.
Blender, DazStudio, PsE for touch ups. No Ai.
Comments (7)
radioham
Some times when you look at the size of these planes you must just say oh on earth do they get them up in the air Sorry to say I don't know this plane but it is a nice image
steelrazer
I agree! I know how the dynamics of flight work, but I'm still amazed that a hunk of metal can fly and be maneuvered around in the air like a bird. This one is just a wing with engines on it. It didn't have computers to keep it stable either.
water
Cool !
fireangel
A nice reminder of an important part of aviation history. They were never able to solve the handling and stability problems with the XB-35 or the YB-49, so it wasn't until the advent of fly-by-wire that the flying wing became truly practical. Jack Northrop always wanted to build a flying wing but retired before the B-2 project begun. When he was invited to the roll-out he stood and stared at it and reportedly said "Now I know why God let me live so long."
I don't know how accurate that story is but I hope it is true.
AliceFromLake
It was like the flying wings of the two brothers Horten. They made their first examples before the war. Although it worked, it was not really suitable for use because they were not stable in some flight conditions. Fly-by-wire and computers was the solution.
What are the three guys talking about?
PhthaloBlue
Great scene with the flying wing!
Briney
That is just crazy, aviation at its finest. The three observers seal it for me because they are thinking what I'm thinking. It won't work... but then we know they were merely just ahead of their time.