Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster and XB-43 Jetmaster

[Steve Pace]

XB-42 in color...

 

[Stargazer]

XB-42 in color...

Wow! Quite a rare sight... Thanks!

 

[circle-5]

The XB-42 as it looks today, at NASM Silver Hill.

 

[Sundog]

Thanks for the pics!I didn't realize it was still in existence. It took me years just to find a couple of photos of the cockpit.

 

[Justo Miranda]

Some additional info from
-"Air&Space"
-"Airpower"
-"Le Fanatique de l'Aviation"
-"Flight Journal"
-Unknown source - via Carlo Godel

 

[circle-5]

Manufacturer models of the XB-42A and XB-43 bombers. Note taller vertical stab on gear-equipped model. I'm not sure if this came before or after the shorter fin. Perhaps somebody has the answer?

 

[Boxman]

Speaking of the XB-42/43 Mixmaster/Jetmaster, here's an unmarked pic I found through the Life Magazine photo archive on Google. Unfortunately, Google/Life haven't "opened" the tagging on these photos (as they have on "The Commons" on Flickr). There are hundreds of historically significant aircraft captured by Time/Life's photographers, but very few of them are adequately or accurately labeled or tagged.

Go to the Google Life photo archive here:
http://images.google.com/hosted/life
Type in "Muroc" in the search field and look at what comes up.

Anyways, apologies for the detour from the topic, again, here's the XB-43 (44-61509). Note the differing sizes of the jet pipes. Presumably, this is from when it flew with one J35 and one J47 (post-April '48).

 

[Steve Pace]

Very cool - thank you!

 

[Skyraider3D]

Here's a neat NACA report on the B-42: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930092682_1993092682.pdf

 

[Bailey]

Some more from http://images.google.com/hosted/life

This time typing in "mixmaster"

Cheers Bailey

 

[Stargazer]

Wow. That LIFE archive sure is amazing!

 

[Steve Pace]

XB-42 at Hickam Field...

 

[OM]

...And a newsreel featuring the "Mixmaster":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqom_vMdncU&feature=related

 

[Mark Nankivil]

Douglas XB-42 Desk Model

Greetings All!

Very cool!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-Douglas-XB-42-Mixmaster-Bomber-Desk-Model-Airplane-/230608481665?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b1562d81

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[Stargazer]

Re: Douglas XB-42 Desk Model

Greetings All!

Very cool!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-Douglas-XB-42-Mixmaster-Bomber-Desk-Model-Airplane-/230608481665?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b1562d81

Enjoy the Day! Mark

Assuredly a vintage item, not a modern rebuild! Here is one picture from the set:

 

[Triton]

Re: Douglas XB-42 Desk Model

Could have been yours for US $1,224.99.

 

[bercr]

XB-42

 

[aim9xray]

XB-42 at Hickam Field...

Hickam? I don't know, especially looking at the architecture on the horizon. Perhaps more like Clover Field.

 

[hermankeil]

The XB-43 spent some time at Norton AFB in San Bernardino, CA parked next to the street. The "Hickam" picture background doesn't look a whole lot like NAFB, but it might be.

 

[Stargazer]

The XB-43 spent some time at Norton AFB in San Bernardino, CA parked next to the street. The "Hickam" picture background doesn't look a whole lot like NAFB, but it might be.

Careful! We're not discussing the XB-43 Jetmaster here, but it's forerunner the piston-powered XB-42 Mixmaster!

 

[Johnbr]

 

[Johnbr]

Douglas XB-42

The second Douglas XB-42 built (S/N 43-50225). (U.S. Air Force photo

 

[Stargazer]

The second Douglas XB-42 built (S/N 43-50225). (U.S. Air Force photo

With a REGULAR cockpit à la Skyknight??? I think (no, in fact I'm positive) that I've NEVER seen this aircraft in all my life! Wow.

 

[Steve Pace]

It's XB-42 number two. Great find! -SP

 

[Johnbr]

Here is one from the back I think.

 

[Steve Pace]

It is. XB-42 number one has(had) serial number 43-50224. -SP

 

[Johnbr]

If you look close at the canape it looks like it is one not two.

 

[Steve Pace]

You're right! -SP

 

[Stargazer]

Just realized that pictures MM1 and MM3 in Page 1 of this thread also depicted the second XB-42.

A bigger version of MM3 is attached below.

 

[Stargazer]

That cockpit's shape makes a lot more sense when put in perspective with the projected "DC-8" Skybus and Sky King Jr. projects.

 

[circle-5]

Pictured here is a very early design of the Douglas B-42, next to a 1944 proposal model of the XB-42A.

Many differences are visible: the early design featured a third blister for the gunner, three rear-firing cannons (two on wing trailing edges and one though the counter-rotating prop hub), a higher-mounted wing, longer nose, smaller tail fins, a 7-deg. dihedral on the horizontal stab., a raised prop thrust line, no tail skid and more.

I think the trailing-edge guns could be aimed -- at least in elevation -- while the tail gun was, of course, fixed.

 

[Johnbr]

Found this.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Pictured here is a very early design of the Douglas B-42,

But wait! There's more!

 

[Sundog]

There's quite a collection of exterior shots here, but does anyone have interior shots? The only pics I have of the panel and interior are from AAHS and they aren't many.

 

[circle-5]

Pictured here is a very early design of the Douglas B-42,

But wait! There's more!

This is like, totally awesome! Thank you!

 

[Stargazer]

Totally awesome indeed. What can still be found of the Mixmaster never ceases to surprise me.

 

[bercr]

Nice photo of Kit Murray and Douglas YB-43 "Versatile II"

 

[bercr]

XB-43, From Google source Life :

 

[Skyraider3D]

That cockpit's shape makes a lot more sense when put in perspective with the projected "DC-8" Skybus and Sky King Jr. projects.

Hmm interesting Swedish connection there in that sideview drawing you posted!

 

[Pioneer]

Wow thanks circle-5 & Johnbr

For all the years I have liked the XB-42 & XB-43, I was never aware of the defensive 'trailing-edge guns'

Thanks for sharing this info and pics

Regards
Pioneer