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Jet   Northrop xp56 "black bullet"
 
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With such an innovative design, problems were expected and they were not long in coming. The first major hurdle presented itself before the initial drawings were complete. Pratt & Whitney decided not to pursue development of the X-1800 and the experimental powerplant was cancelled.

 
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The Northrop design team finally decided to replace the X-1800 with the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 even though they felt the air-cooled powerplant wasn't entirely suitable for the application. Development continued on the first prototype (41-786) and after realizing the folly of having a single prototype the U.S.A.A.F. ordered a second one (42-38353) on February 13, 1942.

 
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Taxi tests began with the first prototype in April 1943 and the aircraft was found to have stability issues, particularly at high speeds. The problem eluded the engineers but was thought to involve the wheel brakes. Further testing was postponed until manual hydraulic brakes were fitted. Problems with the powerplant as well as other systems conspired to delay the initial flight until September 30, 1943 at Muroc, CA.

 
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This first flight proved to be successful though the maximum altitude reached was only 5 feet. Several more test flights were logged with the aircraft reaching higher altitudes with each one. Handling was considered good but further testing was abruptly halted when the prototype was destroyed after the port tire blew out while taxiing at high speed.

 

 

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 The second prototype had been completed by this point and was shipped to Muroc to begin testing. 8353 differed from the first prototype by having a redesigned and lengthened upper vertical fin. Additional changes included a bellow operated split flap system installed in the wing tips with the air for the bellows being drawn from venturi's mounted on the wingtips. These flaps gave the XP-56 better directional control and served to augment the rudder. The designers also changed the center of gravity by shifting the ballast, this in an attempt to improve stability.

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