NMUSAF's XB-42 and XB-43

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:48 pm

The NASM recently trasnferred the Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster and the Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster to the NMUSAF. Does anyone know if they were placed on display right away or possibly placed into storage for the time being?

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 2:03 pm

They are in the restoration hangar, awaiting their turn in the queue... which will be quite a while, considering the backlog.

Cheers,
Richard

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 2:12 pm

Thanks Rich. Yes, they do have alot going on there to say the least.

Chris · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:05 pm

Question--Were these aircraft already on display elsewhere or in storage? The reason I ask is that if there is such a backlog for restoration, wouldn't it be better if they could be on display in unrestored condition until they are ready for the crew to begin the restoration process? I know personally, I like to see aircraft as they were recovered before the work begins such as some of the planes at POF in Chino. As an example, here's the 109 at Chino.

seaknight15 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:17 pm

Wikipedia says they lost the wings to the XB-42, Did they ever turn up?

Kyleb · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:34 pm

I was in the restoration shop a couple of months ago and both airframes had recently been moved in. It didn't appear that any work was being done on them. I don't remember seeing 2 sets of wings, but I didn't look either. the sad thing I noticed was that when the wings were removed, they were cut off as opposed to de-mated with bolts, rivets, whatever. That makes a quality restoration much, much harder.

The thing I question is whether the AFM will put any priority on these birds. Not that they aren't neat - they really are. But they were "only" prototypes and neither really moved the state of the art at the time - in fact they were essentially dead ends. Neither had any production, neither dropped a bomb in anger, etc.

Again, not throwing off on these airplanes, but I bet they will be at the back of the restoration line for a long time.

old iron · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:15 pm

The XB-43 is the first jet-powered US bomber and so does have some historica value. The XB-42 "Mixmaster" is less histopric but with the double pusher props is certainly unusual. Perhaps, since there was a very clean wing it would not be overly difficult to justify reproducing it.

JBoyle · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:09 pm

Kyleb wrote:

....Not that they aren't neat - they really are. But they were "only" prototypes and neither really moved the state of the art at the time - in fact they were essentially dead ends....

That didn't stop the NASM from putting the Do-335 and Japanese sub-based floatplane ahead in the restoration queue ahead of planes that did have a combat history... :evil:

Garth · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:48 pm

JBoyle wrote:

That didn't stop the NASM from putting the Do-335 and Japanese sub-based floatplane ahead in the restoration queue ahead of planes that did have a combat history... :evil:

Money talks, in those cases from Dornier and the Tamiya model company. There was talk that Flak Bait would be the first plane through the NASM Dulles Phase II restoration shop, but then the Engen family ponied up the money needed to complete it. So the Helldiver goes first.

I'm sure if you, or you and a group of friends, wanted to make a sizable donation to NASM (say $10-20 million) they'd be more than happy to move the aircraft of your choice up on the list. And put your name on something.

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:51 pm

The XB-43's wings still exist, and went with the aircraft to the Air Force Museum. The XB-42's wings did not survive, sadly. That being said, they must be virtually identical to those of the XB-43, and could be built from scratch if the desire/money was available. The aircraft are actually on public display too... you just need a tour of the restoration area.

Cheers,
Richard

JBoyle · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:27 pm

Garth wrote:

Money talks.

So much for being an impartial guardian of our nation's history.

I still think it would have been nice to restore The Swoose when some of the people that designed/built/flew it were still alive.

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NMUSAF's XB-42 and XB-43

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