McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat | Flaws of an ideal aircraft

[@EddieFly00]

This is one of the most beautiful designs I’ve ever seen.

[@JohnDoe-yq9ml]

Agreed.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

Stunning

[@bodan1196]

A counter argument to the old saying: "If it looks good, it flies good." Bugatti, yes the super car manufacturer, made another counter point in 1939, the Model 100.

[@alphadawg81]

Definitely!

[@alexanderglass2057]

@@bodan1196 Not really, the tail was probably the main aero problem, we could remake it today with jet powerplants and have something fun for sport flying.

[@janbuyck1]

What’s so beautifull about is, is that the fuselage is completely integrated into the wingstructure, a techique that came back a lot later in fighterplane design like in that of the F-16 for example.

[@HeadPack]

Nicely done video. I like the addition of 3D animations to supplement historical footage.

[@alimzazaz]

Calling this a batwing is not far from the truth. It's a beauty

[@Sherwoody]

Moonbat…the plane they named after my MIL.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

Batplane II was based off of it, right down to it being a failed design…only they changed the engines out for newer ones since it was the jet age then

[@terryboyer1342]

Thanks so much Sky! Life long aviation nut and this is the first I've heard of this aircraft.

[@SkyshipsEng]

The world of aviation is full of very interesting aircraft, many of which are not well known. glad you liked it

[@lcprivatepilot1969]

The ME-262 was way ahead of its time. This one is pretty sweet too!

[@arainmk]

It would have been beautiful with jet engines as well.

[@JohnnyWednesday]

Beautiful craft - if only they'd installed decent engines from the start! it genuinely could have been the fastest at the time

[@EstorilEm]

Nothing would fit into their design constraints for the wing. They were so focused on aerodynamics that they wound up with no power. Late model P-38s and F7F Tigercats (obviously both liquid-cooled and radial) were far more conventional and offered similar (sometimes better) performance, without all the bizarre and dangerous handling issues, not to mention reliability and cooling problems.

[@JohnnyWednesday]

@@EstorilEm - That's all totally fair - the moonbat wasn't a war-winner for lots of reasons - but with a redesigned tail? it could have been stable and prettier too - the tail is the only part that detracts from the lines - too conventional

[@KMcKaig72]

I've been watching some videos about the Napier Sabre, if they could have fitted those and kept them cooled, 2800 hp plus each would have made this an entirely different aircraft.Even though the Sabre was heavier, it was a bit more developed and reliable by that stage of the war.

[@deepscuba7384]

@@JohnnyWednesday You're right about the tail. Designers didn't start moving towards something more aerodynamic till well into the jet era... the Cougar and the Panther come to mind, and then the F-86. The F-86 eventually getting the "flying tail" thanks to the X-1 program. Control through compressibility finally solved. Now ALL fighters have the flying tail.

[@RonJohn63]

The design was too ahead of the available manufacturing techniques and control capabilities.

[@wl6558]

My grandfather was a designer for McDonnell. Let me know if you want pictures or have questions. Also. Thanks for making this!!!

[@SkyshipsEng]

It is very interesting. Over time, I will make more videos about other McDonnell aircraft

[@wl6558]

@@SkyshipsEng my grandfather helped with the hovering platform and flush rivets. He was also thanked by the secretary of state in a letter I have for the prompt delivery of some aircraft.

[@jimcabezola3051]

Always happy to see your new videos. I really like your 3D animations! Thanks for bringing this unusual aircraft to my attention!

[@SkyshipsEng]

Due to the 3D animation I can make videos about more exotic planes for you)

[@greateraviationgl91]

That's great, Skyships. But when will you compete with other guys like Mustard, Pilot Photog or even Found & Explained in 3d animations?

[@deepscuba7384]

Great video with FACTS! Excellent narration without poor diction or pronunciation! What an improvement over other channels! The simplest thing: "aircraft" is BOTH plural AND singular... There is no such word as a plural "aircrafts"! You've done an outstanding job on the narration! Thanks for doing your homework. So many presenters like to just fill in the gaps with nonsense if they can't find the answers. You obviously put some effort into this. I've always been a real fan of this era of aircraft design... the Bullet, Ascender, the Moon Bat, etc. Slide rules, drafting tables, and the guts to build something to achieve a goal. There were so many "one-of" aircraft during this time. Too bad this aircraft didn't get the axial flow jet engine. The Whittle engine would not have fit in the aerodynamic blended wing/engine/fuselage. These centrifugal turbojet engines were used in the XP-59 and the P-80. Unfortunate that we didn't capture an ME262 and reverse engineer and improve on that engine design and put it in the XP-67. That would have been one hell of an aircraft!

[@kerriadereth]

Wasn't the 262 actually something of a paper tiger?

[@deepscuba7384]

@@kerriadereth Considering it was 100mph faster than our fastest and had four 30mm cannon, I don't think so. Remember, the Germans developed/tested/manufactured that A/C while being bombed day & night. Not to mention hitler's interference. The axial flow engine became the standard for jet fighters. It outperformed the Whittle engine in every respect.

[@lelandhetrick205]

Unfortunately, by the time our 8th Air Force bombers encountered the ME262 in 1944, it would take a long time to reverse engineer any captured parts before the evolved Moonbat could be tested and enter into combat service as an interceptor as Germans had a diminished multi-engine bomber force by early 1945. Moreover, it was not designed to dogfight air superior single-engine fighters of 1945. The swept-wing ME262 was faster at 540 mph while the Moonbat was a slower straight-wing design. The Lockheed straight-wing P-80 had the same slower speed too due to the same design limitation.

[@lelandhetrick205]

@@kerriaderethMany of Germany's 1944 - 1945 advanced designs had low production runs because the Allied day and night strategic bombing 1942 - 1945 took its toll. Allied tactical bombing and ground attack fighters diminished the supply routes, strangling incoming materials and sub-components to assembly plants.

[@thedarkknight1971]

ANOTHER 'What if' scenario aircraft.. What if they got the engines they wanted? What if they experimented with turbofan/jet engines in each nacelle? What if.... This could have been not only a beautiful looking flying beast, but such a very capable one too... And, being a DC/Batman fan, I appreciated the aircraft climbing while spinning into the light of the moon, to pause, and then drop animation 👌👍 😎🇬🇧

[@lancerevell5979]

This design just cries to have turbojet engines. But available jet engines of the time were limited in power.

[@seanzibonanzi64]

This has to be my favorite of all American WW2 era prototypes, just wow! Such a lovely aircraft, a real shame it never made production

[@dwh5512]

Thanks for making this video. My pop flew 52 combat missions in WW2 so I've always been a combat aircraft buff. I had never learned so much on this singularly unique WW2 plane. One tip corps is pronounced "core" you said corpse which is a dead body.

[@RonJohn63]

5:43 As soon as I saw the Moonbat, I thought "SR-71", and that Kelly Johnson must have seen one.

[@FandersonUfo]

gorgeous looking aircraft

[@englishguy215]

It is still a very, very cool looking aircraft. One of the best designs I have ever seen.

[@TheSirianKnight]

BEAUTUFUL!!...the wonderful design elements were used for the beautiful four engine Rainbow!!!

[@AG-pm3tc]

I have no idea how i missed such a beautiful aircraft. Thank you for sharing it with us

[@bizzle918]

Your animation of dutchroll is subtle and accurate. Nice touch.

[@RagsHSC-7]

I believe if they would’ve allowed the Rolls-Royce or in a jet engine that aircraft would have been a enormous benefit to the war into aviation as a whole and I thank you so much for sharing this piece of history with us All Ty ♠️♠️✨🦅✨✨♠️♠️

[@mrjockt]

If you look at McDonnell’s next design the FH-1 Phantom you can see similarities to the XP-67, replace the piston engines with jets and shrink the wing so the engines are next to the fuselage.

[@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689]

And then again later with the F2H Banshee!

[@mrjockt]

@@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689 McDonnell themselves admitted that for the F2H Banshee all they did was scale up the FH-1 Phantom’s design.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Sky, great to see that Ukraine war is not affecting you and your delightful work! 💛🙏🏼

[@Sajuuk]

What a beautiful aircraft, such a pity it didn't make combat.

[@eottoe2001]

Thank you. I learned so much.

[@frankgaleon5124]

Your progress in 3D is awesome! Also, good video, as always)

[@SkyshipsEng]

Glad you like it. A big work

[@frankgaleon5124]

@@SkyshipsEng Make videos more often

[@mattharrington5064]

Great channel, thank you so much. You do a great job!!!!

[@robbyowen9107]

Another great video, thanks Sky!

[@leo88aum]

Hello from Toronto Canada ..

[@SkyshipsEng]

Hello to Toronto)

[@leo88aum]

@@SkyshipsEng Sky I love you videos your are the best God bless Russia .. Can you make a video about the Buran space shuttle please 🙏

[@HereticalKitsune]

Such a wild design!

[@carlosfabricioalf]

Nice to have you back. Are you ok?

[@SkyshipsEng]

Yes, I’m Ok. Working for you)

[@carlosfabricioalf]

@@SkyshipsEng Be safe. We love your work buddy. And thanks for your work. Very well done in did.

[@SkyshipsEng]

@@carlosfabricioalf Thank you)

[@isoEH]

Thanks for the great history report, photos, and related videos.

[@bigblue6917]

It is amazing how often ideas are much older than you think. Though this usually means that technology is not ready for it at that time.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

From what Ive read this plane suffered from engine development hell. See the Gruman F7F Tiger Cat. It used twin P&W R 2800s.

[@adamfrazer5150]

3:50 there's something awesome about each Batman film era, and sitting in a theatre at the time, that 'moon shot' in the Keaton/Nicholson classic was landmark for me 👍

[@kommandantgalileo]

nice animations

[@diGritz1]

"The military reviewed the program" is code for Gen. Curtis LeMay reviewed the program. The problem with the Moonbat was it was missing a critical asset, Kelly Johnson. One of the only individuals that was as bull nosed as LeMay. As evidenced by the fact he managed to push through some of the most experimental, non-traditional aircraft both during and post WWII. The P-38, U2 and the A-12/SR-71 were the most famous.

[@mikeupton5406]

This video is excellent and the subject is very interesting.

[@mat5857]

Wish this would be in war thunder... I would pay for it as premium vehical! 6 37mm just wow!

[@jacobschuurman5209]

That's the most beautiful plane I've never seen before

[@challacustica9049]

What a beautiful plane, ahead of it's time.

[@EstorilEm]

I disagree - they just smoothed everything out but they did so from an artistic perspective versus aerodynamic, which is probably why NACA had a boatload of issues with their design. The tail and wing sweep were conventional, and they were so caught up with aerodynamics that they forgot to integrate a decent power plant to make the thing actually go. It definitely looks cool, but it wasn’t cutting edge at all - nothing was pioneered on this aircraft, which is the definition of cutting edge.

[@challacustica9049]

@@EstorilEm i never said it was cutting edge. But simply the design philosophy of attempting a laminar flow was unusual at it's time. Was it the first or only at the time, no, but it was still an attempt made before such design considerations were common.

[@trash4cash454]

@@EstorilEm Indeed, it is interesting how much they were worried about the "design", as about the appearance and about the "design" of the aircraft, as a full-fledged machine

[@sofielee4122]

this thing, with a couple turboprops (dash tens, like the cessna conquest use, come to mind) would have been a legend

[@Critter145]

3:55 I see what you did there. Nice.

[@scottpecora371]

It wasn't a failure, it was just ahead of its time. They learned a lot, pressurized cabin, blended wing, laminar flow. It's too bad they didn't try it with two R2800's. Yes they would have picked up some increased drag, but good buy to all the cooling system, more room for fuel since R2800's are thirsty, but it would have been durable with a lot of power. Use drop tanks to extend ìts range or wing tanks

[@oxcart4172]

I'll have one with Griffons. Thanks!

[@heathb4319]

3:44 ... Well played Sir...Well played.

[@kevingraham8119]

Thank you , that was great !

[@Dagreatdudeman]

I wonder what would have happened if McDonnell got a pair a Merlin engines? The airframe was still unstable anyway, so they would need to redesign.

[@SuperUltimateLP]

I think you'd had problems with cooling a Merlin with so little air like the moonbat had to use. Remember the massive coolers the spitfire had. And ste stalling problem the merlins had if "excessive" g-force was applied just this time with 2 engines flooded... And my last point, the Merlin is a traditional V engine, for this plane you'd need a inverted V retrofitting a V to a inverted V is kinda difficult.

[@rolandogamez]

Maybe some Packard built Griffons?

[@shainemaine1268]

Oh pleeeeaaaase do one on the F-4! That would be superb. Also, perhaps the Tu-22 (both incarnations) eventually...

[@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8]

*The first attempt at Engineering Conformal Airflow. With Valuable Lessons Learned.*

[@rolandogamez]

I always thought this aircraft was designed around jet engines, or at least the posability. Compares to a Gloster Meteor in configuration. Was build to use the exhaust for Thrust. I'd love to see a 3D model with Jet Engines installed.

[@flyerkiller5073]

3:52 Oh Tim Burton’s Batman)

[@frankgaleon5124]

Good hommage

[@SkyshipsEng]

One of the reasons for making this video)

[@mitchellminer9597]

I once flew over McDonnell Aircraft and looked down to see an orange prototype sitting in a walled enclosure. That was a thrill. I like this aircraft. I'd have tried for more of a blended wing. Maybe bury the engines and use a gear-train to put the props in a better place.

[@lelandhetrick205]

One of the more detailed videos on KZbin in regards to information on this obscure experimental interceptor. If Packard - built Rolls Royce Merlin 61 engines were allowed, then it would be a high-altitude nightmare by 1943 against Luftwaffe bombers. Moreover, if the nose was redesigned for a radar (like the Northrop Black Widow) and the fuselage extended for a second crew member to operate this radar, then the night-flying German fast bomber HE-177 Greif could be countered.

[@Anlushac11]

Seems like a lot of the McDonnell FH Phantom in this.

[@deltavee2]

Beautiful bird. Needed jets.

[@rayshewmaker34]

Hellcats, Corsairs,P-38,P-51's all were produced and super successful. And the Jet age was racing to reality

[@jacobzimmermann59]

It's gorgeous

[@rollyherrera623]

That fuselage is stealthy sexy! No exposed rivets? Sweet! Put jets on it, and I will propose...

[@arainmk]

Beautiful

[@8654ZuluFoxtrot]

Just FYI…….you don’t pronounce the “P or S” in Corps…..should be pronounced “Core”. Such as in Marine Corps, Air Corps, etc.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Would be a cool modern civil aviation aircraft if built with composite materials and with turboprop engines.

[@frankgaleon5124]

I had this in my mind during the whole video

[@Bobsry16]

Agreed Kenneth. The turboprop configuration, modern bits and pieces from the latest Avanti Evo Piaggio would fit well with this crafts design! Efficient, probably could carry more fuel and further streamline the craft with more payload, the numbers beg to be crunched!

[@markgranger9150]

Laminar wings were used on the mustang. Xp-67 was not the only Douglass design for WWII the A20 Havoc was an excellent plane

[@youtube.youtube.01]

McDonnell attracted a lot of talent into their workforce. Howard Hughes and McDonnell took parallel courses with their aviation projects and ended nearly the same way....odd-legged caterpillars that couldn't produce profit with complicated ideas.

[@jsvno]

Glad you are back in the air with very informative information. Have you done the YAK 42? If not please do it. When i lived in Vladivostok i had the opportunity to pilot one, with a very competent Russian Pilot in the other seat.

[@SkyshipsEng]

The Yak 42 is an interesting plane, I’ll do it soon

[@SimchaWaldman]

Very good looking plane. So sad it did not make it.

[@billdurham8477]

The Continental Hyper Engine. It's a Hemi!!! It was a tank engine adapted for aircraft. Jay Leno had a roadster built with the tank version, video is here somewhere. The a/c version was 1400hp, 4 valves per cylinder, 1430 cubic inches. This is a horsepower to displacement ratio unheard of out side of racing. At best a WW2 engine did .8 hp per cubic inch. Unless you want to quote the R2800 with water/methanol boost. Which destroyed the spark plugs every time you used it....somehow the Continental did 1400 on the test stand, something about the MB choked it. And for you motorheads, NEAM has the Chrysler V16, yup its a hemi, 2250 cubic inches, 2500 hp, a P47 hit 490mph with it.

[@billballbuster7186]

This should have been the Bat-Plane, certainly looked the part. The sleeve-valve had the potential to be the most efficient piston engine design. But it was not suited to mass production, only the British Napier Sabre was used in a production fighter in WW2.

[@bodan1196]

War is NOT a path to progress. War necessitates progress. There is a slight difference, which I find important enough to point out to exist. You will have a more stable progress, though perhaps a slower one, without war.

[@Hetstaine]

Mph, not Knots. It reached a top speed of 405 mph (352 knots) and was aiming at 472mph (410knots)

[@bostonrailfan2427]

this plane will live forever as Batman’s longtime plane…with a couple of modifications to avoid being sued but you know this inspired the design of his Batplane!

[@ehfoiwehfowjedioheoih4829]

Corps is pronounced core Great video!!!

[@FunBitesTV]

Wow is the narrator also the same guy as the American Eagle in Catterick?

[@roberthicks1612]

I would have loved to see this design with jets engines.

[@johnlovett8341]

It looks awesome ... But the Continental hyper was a no-go. Alas. The narrator mixes mile per hour up and knots quite a few times. ex Projected speed = 472 MPH rather than 472 knots. Opposite prob later in the video.

[@Arthion]

Seems like the choice of engine killed the project. It delayed test flights so much and caused so many problems it became unsolvable. Had they had an alternate engine they could have at least gathered more flight data and refined the airframe further.

[@jonathanstein1783]

With reliable engines, I think this aircraft would have been a game-changer. But the engines it needed were sadly not available at that time.

[@Diamond_Tiara]

Yes, but muh budget.

[@uncbadguy]

A lot can be learned from the Moonbat. Like... What NOT to do.....

[@solidaridadjusticia1438]

I feel like it was wrong to discontinue it. It would have been ok to postpone it until they could fix the issues To then be Is introduced in the mid to late forties as a high alt fast bomber interceptor

[@trash4cash454]

Love this video. Bad that they did't apply this airframe with the jet engines

[@frankgaleon5124]

I thought what would happen if someone made a modern version with turboprop engines

[@saturnv8532]

Most American aircraft for the time: I've got fifty cals Xp-67: * laughs in 37 autocannon

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks....Shoe🇺🇸

[@joebfnl1079]

Imagine this aircraft with two Allison 4500hp turboshaft engine's!. Just think???. The Bat for Ukraine???.

[@christineshotton824]

As indicated in the narration, it's a little bit like SR-71's piston engined grandfather.

[@Coyote27981]

The brits called, they want their meteor back. You can keep the piston engines.

[@heathb4319]

Hahahahahaha....damn.

[@josephdupont]

Paramount jet engines instead of the props?

[@randomyoutuberthotslayer8247]

@skyship please make a video on an124 series

[@SkyshipsEng]

I'll continue the marathon about transport planes. An-124 will be too

[@greateraviationgl91]

"To the Batmobi- i… mean Moonbat!"

[@markgranger9150]

Douglas had the first aircraft to circumnavigate the world and the first commercial aircraft to be able to carry enough weight to make it.profitable,DC3/C47 the SBD dive bomber and A26 invader were a few more they were.the fifth largest aircraft manufacture during the war.

[@masch2]

nice

[@yutakago1736]

People learnt from their mistakes and failure. The experiences of building the Moonbat are carry over to other successful aircrafts.

[@nightshift5201]

Great video. BTW, it's pronounced "core", not "corpse". 1:37

[@olsmokey]

Carbon fibre body and jet engines would do the trick.

[@UnclePutte]

Six 37mm grapefruit throwers... that's a bit... yeah, these guys were putting up absurd ambitions for 1944.

[@constantinosschinas4503]

Design was like 60 years ahead of it's time.

[@tulsatrash]

This makes me realize I know pretty much nothing about the early history of McDonnell.

[@thurin84]

its a shame more successful engines werent paired with this beautiful bird.

[@thomasmills3934]

Why do they never pick push propellers..?

[@davidk6264]

a turbo-prop would have been a great fit for this plane.

[@maxpayne2574]

Looks like it would've been good for jet engines after the war.