Northrop N-1M
Northrop · United States · first flew 1940 · light aircraft
The Northrop N-1M, nicknamed Jeep, was an American experimental flying wing used to develop Jack Northrop's all-wing concept in the 1940s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Tailless flying wing with a short central fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tailless flying wing with a short central fuselage
- Two piston engines buried in the wing driving pusher propellers
- Elevons and wingtip surfaces take the place of a tail
A small all-wing aircraft with no fin or tailplane; control comes from elevons and split flaps at the wingtips.
Specifications
- The Northrop N-1M has a length of 5.46 m (18 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.79 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 320 km/h (199 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was built in 1939 and 1940 as a flying testbed. The wing was built mostly of laminated glued wood on a central blended fuselage of tubular steel, and it first flew on 3 July 1940 at Baker Dry Lake in California.
Variants
The two 65 hp Lycoming O-145 engines were replaced by two 120 hp Franklin 6AC-264F2 engines. The N-1M led to the Northrop N-9M, and later to the YB-35 and YB-49.
Where you'll see it
Early tests showed it to be stable and controllable but overweight and underpowered, and it showed a tendency to Dutch roll. It was donated to the US Army Air Forces in 1945 and is now displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
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