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The Douglas XB-42 is a little known but rather unusual US bomber that first flew 1944. The plane was unusual for being a twin engined pusher with engines buried in the fuselage and the two propellors located at the planes tail. There really was unusual or advanced in its construction or in the technology used beyond the layout.

The XB-42's performance was amazing. In December 1945 the XB-42 set a transcontinental speed record flying from Long Beach, California, to Washington, DC, a distance of about2300 miles in 5 hours 17 for an average 443 mph. Joe Baugher's site states the following:
performance of the XB-42 was outstanding. Speed was within a percent of that predicted, and range and rate of climb exceeded expectations. The XB-42 was as fast as the Mosquito B.XVI but carried twice the maximum bombload (8000 pounds versus 4000 pounds over short ranges or a bombload of 3750 pounds versus 1000 pounds over a range of 1850 miles). Moreover, the XB-42 carried a defensive armament of four 0.50-inch machine guns in two remotely-controlled turrets whereas the Mosquito was unarmed.
The hitch: Douglas proposed the plane in early 1943 and the prototype first flew on May 1944. This is about 12-15 too late. This needs to come sooner, obviously.

How do we get the plane ready 12-15 months earlier.

What then happens if it is ready by early 1944?

Here are the specification of Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster:

Engines: Two Allison V-1710-125 liquid-cooled V-12 engines, each rated at 1325 hp for takeoff and 1800 hp war emergency.

Performance: Maximum speed 410 mph at 23,440 feet, 344 mph at sea level. Cruising speed 312 mph. Service ceiling 29,400 feet. Normal range 1800 miles, maximum range 5400 miles.

Dimensions: Wingspan 70 feet 6 inches, length 53 feet 8 inches, height 18 feet 10 inches, wing area 555 square feet.

Weights: 20,888 pounds empty, 33,208 pounds gross, 35,702 pounds maximum loaded.

Armament: Four 0.50-inch machine guns installed in remotely-controlled turrets on the trailing edges of the wings. The bomb bay could carry a maximum load of four 2000-pound bombs.

B-42_Mixmaster.jpg
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