Very shortly after the end of World War II Convair began the design of a turbojet-powered medium bomber, gaining a contract for three XB-46 prototypes from the US Army Air Force. Of all-metal construction, the XB-46 was of high-wing cantilever monoplane configuration, had a slim oval-section fuselage, conventional tail unit, retractable tricycle landing gear and was designed to accommodate a crew of three. Power-plant consisted of four turbojet engines, these being mounted in pairs.

3-View

A three-view drawing (650 x 990)

First flown on 2 April 1947, the XB-46 was handed over to the newly-formed US Air Force in late 1947, attaining an average speed of 858km/h during its delivery flightto Wright Field at Daytona, Ohio. Despite this performance the XB-46 remained a one-off prototype, the USAF ordering the Boeing B-47 Stratojet into production.