Northrop N-1M

1940

Back to the Virtual Aircraft Museum
  RESEARCH AIRCRAFTVirtual Aircraft Museum / USA / Northrop  

Northrop N-1M

In 1929 John Northrop designed and developed a two-seat single-engine aircraft which was basically a flying wing with two slim booms supporting the tail unit. The aircraft, built by Northrop's newly formed Avion Corporation (later the Northrop Aircraft Corporation) was powered by a 67kW Menasco engine, initially driving a pusher propeller but modified later to tractor configuration.

Experience with this early aircraft was stored away for a decade until Northrop could pursue his all-wing concept, but in 1940 the Northrop N-1M flew with two 48kW Lycoming engines buried in a thick wing to drive pusher propellers. The N-1M was a true all-wing design and its low drag gave improved acceleration in both dive and glide; it also enabled the aircraft to use significantly less power on take-off than conventional aircraft of similar size and weight. Early tests found few problems, the main one being engine cooling, but this was solved by the installation of 89kW Franklin engines with three-bladed propellers and improved baffles. The N-1M has survived in the US National Air and Space Museum.

Northrop N-1M

Specification 
 MODELN-1M
 CREW1
 ENGINE2 x Lycoming, 48kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight1360 kg2998 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan11.6 m38 ft 1 in
  Length5.2 m17 ft 1 in
  Wing area28 m2301.39 sq ft

3-View 
Northrop N-1MA three-view drawing (524 x 288)

Comments
djber, 09.02.2011 19:26

it would be a great glider

reply

g.l.stevenson, e-mail, 26.07.2010 17:52

.when i was a kid it flew over elsegundo many times,color was yellow,took off from mines field [LAX]or hawthorn.saw a copy flying at gillespiefield el cajon S.D. confederate airforce air show what a sight in low level 90 turns,a few years back.so the n-1m is still flying what a sight.

reply

THE WHO, 25.03.2008 01:49

I HEARD SOMEWHERE YOU COULD MAKE A 1:1 SCALE FLYING KIT OF A FLYING-WING. BUT FOR A N-1M AND N-9M IS IMPOSSIBLE. SORRY.

reply

Jacob S. Hazlett, e-mail, 26.12.2007 06:41

Dear Sir, I would like to find a full set of blue prints to make a homebuilt N-1M and also a N-9M? I was a journeyman aircraft structural mechanic for the U.S.Air Force, I am also heavy into R.C. model planes. Could you point me in the right direction? Thank-you Sir, Respectfully Jacob S. Hazlett

reply

Do you have any comments?

Name    E-mail


COMPANY
PROFILE


All the World's Rotorcraft


All rhe World's Rotorcraft AVIATION TOP 100 - www.avitop.com Avitop.com