Restored 1940s Northrop Flying Wing

This is a video of the Planes of Fame Museum's (Chino, California) Northrop N9MB Flying Wing during a recent (March 2009) engine run-up of its remaining serviceable engine. This aircraft was originally built as part of the November 1941 contract that Northrop was awarded for four, 1/3-scale aircraft, designated N9M, that were to act as flying test beds for various flight systems for the full-size XB-35 flying wing program and also to familiarize Air Force pilots with flying wing operations

This aircraft experienced an in-flight engine fire in 2006 in its left, 300 hp., 8-cylinder Franklin 0-540-7 engine. The Flying Wing has since been totally restored, but the restoration of the rare Franklin 0-540-7 engine is another matter. There were only about 27 of these engines ever built and it is believed that only three of them exist today. The needed parts will need to be newly manufactured as necessary, but the museum has committed to getting this aircraft back in the air. Common parts from a 12-cylinder Franklin engine are already being scavenged to help in the restoration. The flying scenes in this video were taken just before the engine fire. Progress towards flying staus is well on its way and this aircraft will definitely once again fly, no doubt!
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