XB-46 - The Needle

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Convair's XB-46 prototype has been described as one of the most beautiful looking jets of its time.
It had a sleek, straight-wing design and an innovative pneumatic control system. The jet also had a weapons-load capacity of up to 22,000 lbs. The XB-46 prototype for a jet-powered bomber was a powerful sight to behold.
The Needle, as its test pilots nicknamed it, was initially designed to counter the German Arado Ar 234, the world's first operational jet-powered bomber. But neither luck nor history was ever on this Convair prototype's side. The bomber never saw production or active duty.
The Needle never moved on from the testing stage, as it was largely overshadowed by what later became one of the most popular bombers of the midcentury: Boeing's Stratojet. Though short, its legacy still lives on, and its design served as an example for other bombers of the postwar era.
As budgets shifted, a new priority emerged in its place: one of Convair's most bizarre creations - the forward wing-swept XB-53.
- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[@michaelchristensen6884]

My uncle was one of the test pilots of this bomber. Carl O. Bostrom, he was a B-24 pilot in WWII.

[@honeybadger1755]

The entire dark catalogue has been keeping me well informed, and mentally healthy throughout the pandemic, thank you 🙏🏻

[@Kayaz48]

Totally agree!

[@lolshark99b49]

I love all the early jet stuff where they were still kinda figuring it out

[@aaaht3810]

Yes. A very interesting time to be in aviation/aeronautical engineering. So many new technologies coming together at one time, jets, rockets, missiles, avionics, nuclear weapons, with new emerging threats. Almost like any idea was worth a try.

[@Tripplebeem]

It's wild how even with quick development periods, they were all obsolete by the time they took off. A wild time of aviation advancement.

[@TheThanimal]

My thoughts exactly. Don't get me wrong, new jets are stupid impressive. But the early jets are where they learned the most.

[@fw1421]

They were coming out with new designs all the time,plus it didn’t take 20 years to develop,and they didn’t bankrupt the country like today. The price of the F-35 is obscene.

[@jacksons1010]

@@fw1421 The F-35 is a comprehensive weapons system, not just an airplane. Have you ever seen a demonstration of drones flying in synchronized formations? Remarkable, right? Now understand that flights of F-35 link their radars to create a far more powerful virtual array, share combat information, and coordinate targeting and weapons deployment. This is so far from what was happening in the early jet days there simply isn’t a comparison to be made.

[@DarkDocsSkies]

Pretty plane.

[@genericuser9653]

Yeah

[@DeltaFabrication]

yes sirr

[@Juu_Erkki]

Well you vere right

[@mafew4084]

Indeed, it's beautiful

[@crazyman-dg3wh]

Indeed

[@JustAPairofLegs]

It looks like if an il-28 and a b-57 had a kid

[@sw40c]

Throw in some U-2 for good measure... those wings...

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

I was just about to say that

[@maxtorrington5889]

@@sw40c MB cv TY for a

[@alessandromazzini7026]

It's a Flying Anteater

[@densealloy]

I love seeing all the old test footage from Convair because they were in downtown San Diego. I was stationed at MCRD SD for years and that skyline takes me back.

[@joeallman6726]

In

[@haroldwilkes6608]

I only saw the Needle on bubble gum cards but the B-47 was still in service when I was in the USAF, awesome aircraft.

[@reltney20]

I grew up always knowing of this plane. Well documented. Convair made some really gorgeous planes.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Yeah but they weren't too good about keeping up with the March technology unfortunately

[@John.B.Jenkins]

Never heard of this plane. Your channel rocks!

[@thomashogan7272]

Try this. You've heard of the B-17, B-25, B-26, and the B-36. What about the musing numbers? Go to Google and search those missing designations. You'll find some interesting reading.

[@jamesricker3997]

You never heard of it because it lost the jet bomber competition to the B-47

[@John.B.Jenkins]

@@thomashogan7272 Thanks Thomas, I'll go check that out.

[@thomashogan7272]

Here's a list you can use.. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_aircraft_of_the_United_States

[@michaelegan6092]

I've got information in a book somewhere that states that if the XB46 engines failed at 40,000 feet, it could glide for over 200 miles. Remarkable.

[@operator8014]

Almost 27:1 glide slope. Nice.

[@williamsimmons152]

What’s average ?

[@Ronin4614]

@@williamsimmons152 ~~~~ There are a lot of variables when computing glide distances. Aircraft with larger wing spans and comparatively narrow fuselages will have longer glide distances than shorter winged aircraft. Large passenger aircraft and bombers like the B-52 will glide better than fighter styled aircraft. The rugged F-4 fighters, as an example, were usually looked at as having the glide characteristics of a brick, which is pretty accurate.

[@williamsimmons152]

@@Ronin4614I was wondering more like comparing this to a modern aircraft...like a 747 or the like.

[@Mini1124]

@@williamsimmons152 XB-46: 27:1 glide ratio 747: 17:1 glide ratio

[@DeetexSeraphine]

Damn, the XA-44 and XB-53 are friggin GORGEOUS

[@alwayscensored6871]

Never seen the 44 before

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Nice video on the little known Convair XB-46 jet bomber! Convair made plenty of money following WWII building the B-36 Peacemaker and B-58 Hustler bombers, C-131 Samaritan transports, and F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart fighters.

[@cnfuzz]

The f16 was their most successful as convair became general dynamics

[@bigrobnz]

how could you scrap something as beautiful as that plane?

[@emaheiwa8174]

They destroyed every B32 Dominator and Martin P6M. Those generals and colonels were stupid AF. I hope their wives and children hated them

[@emaheiwa8174]

@Nonya Buziness and? They lost money on experimental planes anyway and had a lot of places to storage at least one. No excuses

[@emaheiwa8174]

@Treg Burk We are talking about preservation and exhibition. What are you talking about? Makes no sense

[@deathsheadknight2137]

@Nonya Buziness gotta love women in politics.

[@williamsimmons152]

Imagine all the stuff scrapped we never saw...or never knew about.....

[@5777Whatup]

My grandpa worked on the stratojet!! I thought that was cool as hell. First time I’ve seen it in a video!

[@vibrolax]

Everyone commenting about his unusual narration delivery: it's because he's the reincarnation of Rod "Twilight Zone" Serling, but with 5x caffeine.

[@sillyone52062]

And presumably, no nicotine.

[@Enevan1968]

Would love to see something about the XP 67 Moonbat. It looked promising on paper...

[@Ushio01]

'looks up the moonbat' huh it looks like a piston powered Gloster Meteor.

[@davidzitzman6511]

Moonbat was my fav.too.My Dad worked on the Moon bat!Where did MC Donnell get all that tech in1943-45?

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@davidzitzman6511 Stark Industries.....🤔

[@davidzitzman6511]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Thanks, I'll research that!

[@ronjon7942]

Great channel, I admire your research, video and image resources, and your accuracy. I hope the Dark Skies project is profitable for you, as I really enjoy watching (and re-watching/listening) the episodes. I especially appreciate the content you provide on the not-so-popular subjects that have contributed much to aviation evolution.

[@michaelroberts889]

Thank you so much for featuring the little known jet. As a boy l would pour over all the aviation books l could get my hands on. There was so little info on this plane l wasn't sure it actually existed. What an interesting bomber

[@Bakaat777]

Eglin AFB in the house. We "still" have a B-47 Strato-jet here at the museum, but undoubtedly NOT the one the narrator said was going to Eglin for testing in the Climatic Laboratory.

[@JBGARINGAN]

If the needle had swept wings and discarded the old B-29 style vertical stabilizer for a more modern one like would be on the B-47 the aesthetics already quite sleek and beautiful would be MAJESTIC

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Super episode about a forgotten classic.

[@martykarr7058]

I had a high school teacher who had served in WWII in the infantry and he told me about the first time he'd encountered the Arado. He said that since they'd never heard a jet before, and the way it screamed overhead, it scared the crap out of him and his squad mates

[@Lidds1973]

You should do a story on the English Electric Canberra. Served for so long with so many airforces

[@lawrencewillard6370]

There is video on the Canberra, going against American competition. It beat all against it.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@lawrencewillard6370 - as far as the USAF and the Canberra - yes for altitude for several years in the 50’s, no for other parameters like speed and payload

[@lawrencewillard6370]

Peter Southern boy. Canberra's served in Vietnam, came to impress US senior flight officers. There was a bias against them at first, but they came through as a good, efficient , allround aircraft . Not bad for a 40s design.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@lawrencewillard6370 - used extensively by USAF for reconnaissance and electronic warfare in a Vietnam - was not considered adequate for tactical bombing missions or close air support

[@Lidds1973]

@@petersouthernboy6327 also ended up serving against UK forces in the Falklands War. The final aircraft was retired in 2000.

[@gunslinger2738]

I really enjoy watching all your videos across all your channels! Keep up the great work!!

[@OGBootleg]

I'd love to see an episode on the "McDonnell XP 67" "Moonbat" What I think is the best looking aircraft built in World War two.

[@Cuccos19]

Good idea, I also would love to see about the Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose, Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender, Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet and Bell XP-77. They are all interesting project what never went into production.

[@YamahaR12015]

It is definitely a cool ppane to look at

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

Yes for sure I love the Moonbat as well

[@AlphaLegionTacticoolShitposts]

It does look pretty cool.

[@djay6651]

I'm partial to the Convair XFY Pogo and the McConnell XF-85 Goblin.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

Kinda sad, a lot of hard work just gets canceled so quickly. Things changing so quickly from the late 40s and through the 50s. Many cool aircraft, the B-52 being one, still going strong. Thanks for all your work, some really cool stuff. 👍👍

[@donovanvichi7102]

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful planes every built was the B-57 Canberra. Very clean plane.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

Yes, and they had a very long service life, unbelievable!

[@donaldstanfield8862]

It looked quite wicked! 💥💨 Took a while getting more power from these early jets, amazing what they did with what power they had.

[@jeremyfelix6261]

I have all your channels notifications on, LOVE YOUR CONTENT!

[@Tirana44]

A fascinating video on a fascinating aircraft. That XB46 was truly beautiful. I knew nothing about the type until seeing your video.

[@bennybenitez2461]

As always a brilliant presentation. Well done.

[@williamcharles9480]

What a productive and innovative group of minds Convair was. The B-58 Hustler was one of the most beautiful and intimidating bombers ever. It had it's flaws, but innovation in its design and construction was its hallmark.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

Really amazing ideas, I'm surprised so many were built, of course we had to, but, man, they threw around a lot of money back in the day!

[@kdrapertrucker]

Yes the B-58 is gorgeous in real life, they have one at the Grissom joint reserve base museum near kokomo, Indiana. As the B-58 was based there when it was Bunker Hill Air Force Base.

[@josephpecoul6532]

The forward swept-wing on that aircraft I think that's beautiful

[@belacickekl7579]

Forward swept wings are a great idea, but it took digital flight controls and composite structure to make it work, as seen in the x-29

[@josephpecoul6532]

@@belacickekl7579 something that terrifyingly beautiful streaking out of the sky it's worth that extra effort I just think it's a beautiful design

[@kdrapertrucker]

@@belacickekl7579 you can make forward swept Wings work without digital fly-by-wire systems, the biggest problem with forward swept Wings was they tend to have are elastic twisting at high subsonic speeds and structural technology just wasn't able to cope with that are elastic twisting until the early 1980s when composite materials suddenly appeared.

[@SuperDiablo101]

Out of all my years reading about military aircraft from hours on end you have shown an aircraft I have not yet heard of

[@cnfuzz]

Convair always had the best looking planes , catalina , hustler ,peacemaker , delta dagger , f16 falcon

[@jonkipastramki3021]

You should do a story on the English Electric Canberra. Served for so long with so many airforces

[@SuperDiablo101]

@@jonkipastramki3021 yes the English electric company is kind of overlooked in my opinion with so many legendary planes under their belt such as the EE Lightening and canberra as well

[@donaldstanfield8862]

@@jonkipastramki3021 Canberra is amazing, what a life it had, quite awesome!

[@hojoj.1974]

Again, a great job. You voice and your Cadence...very crisp and clear. Do not...let the haters get you down. Fantastic presentation.

[@timothyfoleyjr2796]

I like your channel; even growing up in the USAF (I was born in 1948) I never heard of any of these airplanes, with the exception of the B-47. My Father was bombardier, navigator (camera operator) on different versions of the B-47. There is no way to argue that the B-47 wasn’t one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built. If you look at the B-47 you see that it looks like it’s flying before it ever starts moving. On take-off it doesn’t “rotate” like other jet aircraft, it just reaches flying speed and flys it’s self off the ground. Even when it lands; it lands on the leading (front set of wheels) landing gear. There is a reason for this and it all has to do with its design.

[@jasonz7788]

Great work Sir thank you

[@persistentapparartionkitty5830]

So if one crash lands in a field of Haystacks it would be a Needle in a Haystack....

[@Doomannater]

this pun.... its just.... oh god

[@logisticsnail5014]

You my sir have passed the dad test, congratulations you have gained the official classification of father 💯

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

saw it 1st time in my library brook..."American Bombers" when i was 14, it was beyond beautifully streamlined, but i liked the Mixmaster.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Imagine if you redesign the Mixmaster today with all the modern technology including carbon fiber. I think would be a rocket

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

@@kdrapertrucker Yep.....

[@CHRISROYALSCHIEFSFAN]

I cant say it enough, Dark Channels are my favorite Channels!

[@jdhdhfydydydud3175]

How many are there? I only found two.

[@ydsimulations]

@@jdhdhfydydydud3175 4 including this one

[@jdhdhfydydydud3175]

@@ydsimulations dark skies, dark docs, dark 5, what else?

[@Makuhesa]

@@jdhdhfydydydud3175 Dark Side (it's a startwars documentary channel i think if i rememver it existing) Edit : aaan im wrong....crap

[@ethanclupper7034]

Beautiful plane, reminds me of the U2 though

[@timothyfoleyjr2796]

Findeeney I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelly Johnson didn’t have a hand in it’s design.

[@captainbimble]

I'd say it's more like the English Electric Canberra.

[@jfan4reva]

@@captainbimble Yes! the bubble canopy, two-to-a-pod engine nacelles and round, tear-drop shaped fuselage make it look like a stretched Canberra.

[@kdrapertrucker]

U2 was a stretched sailplane version of the F 104 basically, the rear fuselage was new to house the big engine, the intakes enlargened, and the nose stretched to fit camera bays, but other then that it was an F-104 forward fuselage.

[@WalrusWinking]

@@captainbimble Except this was built before all that.

[@cowboybob7093]

For people who are not from San Diego CA, the runway shots in the clip are at the downtown airport now known as Lindbergh Field. It's right across the street from the old Convair plant. You can see by all the houses it's downtown. In the '80s when I lived there it was nice to watch the scheduled flights. The notion of standing in the same spot 40 years earlier watching cutting edge jet bombers is fun too.

[@allgood6760]

Thanks for this and new to me 👍✈️

[@Brera011]

My first impression on this plane was in a Buck Danny comics from the sixties. Had the whole series complete until they were stolen. Loved those old comics with planes like Canadian Dan Cooper and French Tanguy et Laverdure. Those comics gaveus kids a good insight of planes from the era and those to come next.

[@xyzaero]

What a beautiful, clean and sleek design.

[@larryfine6865]

Love this stuff. Ty

[@hamemoney]

Man reason, love the Dark channels!

[@jimmywrangles]

Excellent upload sir.

[@amig-2143]

good video! The needle sure was something

[@nicholasmacdonald100]

I love all your videos please keep making prototype warplane videos ❤

[@ogilkes1]

Another great video.

[@archlich4489]

Wow dude you are really in top form

[@comradeiosif2794]

The straight wing slender aircraft at its finest.

[@benhudman7911]

Excellent research.

[@luizcarlosdeiricci8957]

Thanks for The video

[@dogmandan79]

Man, I’m an aircraft buff/nut and I’ve never heard of this at all. Kudos.

[@Astrofrank]

Beautiful and elegant.

[@cootersnooter3059]

Convair and their beautiful designs

[@danielson9579]

Nice video 👍

[@WildBillCox13]

XB-53 is a new one on me. Cool.

[@MaxCruise73]

I have seen the only remaining Arado Ar 234 in existence at the Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. If a HUGE amount of money dropped into my lap, I would commission the building of 2 to 4 Arado Ar 234's using modern jet engines. Same concept was used during the Me-262 project

[@MaxCruise73]

​@Nonya Buziness Quote "The aircraft are powered by General Electric CJ610 turbojet engines, concealed inside detailed reproductions of the original Junkers Jumo 004B engines and nacelles." Unquote

[@BV-fr8bf]

Production variant so the Arado 234 (B series) had a top speed of 461 miles per hour. The 540 mph top speed was the Me-262 and Arado C series 4 engine aircraft (all 7 prototypes with engines + 7 more airframes without engines.)

[@darinr9424]

b-47 is crazy due to it having throttle restrictions. it had enough power and thrust it could damage its own wings from a pilot getting to happy with the throttles. darn near rip them off.

[@almakitchenextra3972]

I am really admirer of your voice and the way you explain things good job keep it up

[@hertzair1186]

My favorite early jet bomber prototype....you’ve got some rare video of it I’ve never seen!

[@burningb2439]

Its mad I never ever heard of the XB46 , it looked more like a stretched out Canberra but the B47 was sex with wings , great an interesting vid on a piece of forgotten Aviation history..

[@scottturcotte1860]

My first impression seeing it, is that it made me think of the U2

[@wokohedgehogs]

Great film, why the hell did KZbin put adverts with only 20 seconds left until the end though!...

[@aklapotherpotherpothikrebh603]

Amazing

[@grahamhufton7715]

very cool.

[@chadwickmacarthur4760]

Just think 40-50 years before this the wright Brothers took off flying in a single life time we reached the jet age

[@edwardbreadman9473]

Very entertaining post. I can not believe the storyline Similarities and fate of this plane and the Avro Arrow built by Avro Canada

[@BrandonSLedford]

Sub'd .. Awesome channel

[@koenvandam1281]

It sure sounds that the speaker is in a hurry or on the run for something... but nice mini doc!

[@jhill4874]

The B-47, just randomly blowing up in mid air.

[@mebsrea]

Anyone know how they got a pneumatic system to work despite potentially rapid elevation and thus pressure changes?

[@c.tedbarber4140]

Does WPAFB museum still have the nose section in storage somewhere? Been there many times and do not recall this being on public display.

[@dickybirdcch]

B47 was a real bomber for the jet age. Swept wing beauty.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

OH OH, I may have learned something new!

[@ProperLogicalDebate]

2:15 In this and many other cases, like things don't compete. They compare but it's destroyers vs. submarines, fighters vs. bombers. Even fighters, destroyers of different qualities present different problems, and Visa-versa.

[@depkatze4134]

Great for my sewing kit

[@gwebb8486]

Me: sees thumbnail Also me: Lonnnnnngggg il-28

[@thommykent7785]

I just can`t handle this guys voice and pace of speaking

[@paulcurtis9852]

I always play him at 80% speed....sounds OK then!

[@OdeeOz]

Saw a flight of B-47's land for refueling at USAF Kinsley Field, in Oregon back in 59. I think they were on their way to a Lend/Lease country.

[@jfan4reva]

I lived about a mile from the end of the runway at a base B-47s were stationed. Used to ride my bike over and watch planes land and take off. The best was when a flight of 6 B-47s would take off one after another a few seconds apart on a practice alert. The noise was awesome and relentless!

[@OdeeOz]

@@jfan4reva Heheh Should have lived on or near Richards Gebauer AFB, in Belton Missouri. Friggin B-52's were always taking off right over the base housing, and shacking stuff off our walls.

[@burtbacarach5034]

XB_46,brought to you by the same folks that gave us the B-36 Peacemaker.

[@grndiesel]

Reminds me of the X12 "rainbow"

[@tommymacca9172]

Could you do a video on the CAC Boomerang Australia's Panic Fighter

[@alwayscensored6871]

CA-15

[@tommymacca9172]

@@alwayscensored6871 CA-12/13/14/14A/19

[@CaptainAhorn]

I didn’t know the Dash 8 had been around that long.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

Sure looks like her!!

[@crazyman-dg3wh]

Have you done the F-104 Starfighter?

[@briancooper2112]

Wow.

[@Ronin4614]

More good stuff. I actually like your rapid fire delivery, even if others bitch about it. Truth be known, we are able to understand narratives of your delivery speed and even higher. Keep them coming, amigo.

[@user-mv2ti9jd3n]

niiiice

[@marklewis35]

Reminds me of the English Electric Canberra

[@jimtaylor294]

Indeed. The Canberra is also the only non-US Jet Bomber design to see service with the USAF.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

The Canberra had altitude superiority for several years in the 50’s, but in terms of speed and payload the B-47 better fit the USAF missions

[@boi8825]

That IL-28 be looking funny

[@billmorris2613]

Good afternoon to all from SE Louisiana 19 Jul 22.

[@jfan4reva]

The 'Class of 45' had the shortcoming of not having access to the German data on swept wings, so they were all conventional designs. A similar thing would happen when Convair (again) designed the F102 just before the 'Supersonic Area Rule' came into play, which allowed another step forward in aerodynamics. Sometimes it doesn't pay to show up early to the party.

[@irobott3713]

Narrator ... "Hold my Red Bull while I read the script" Red Bull gives you wings

[@Zeno2Day]

@9:52 XB-53. A mention was made that two prototypes were ordered. Why were neither of those two built? And btw, your stories are fascinating.

[@ezrabrooks12]

GOOD VIDEO/INFO!!!!!....SHAME THAT THEY DID'NT SAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THEM FOR THE MUSEUM!!!!!!

[@kimtaco7107]

Interesting