Douglas XB-19: America's giant World War II intercontinental bomber

The USAAC awarded Donald Douglas a contract in 1935 to build the world's largest bomber, the XB-19. It was a top-secret project that never flew as an intercontinental bomber or combat bomber, but its contributions as a Flying Laboratory influenced the development of the Consolidated B-36 Peacemaker. Bill Wolf has collected the largest quantity of XB-19 material and photographs, providing a superbly illustrated history of the aircraft.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In 1935, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) embarked on a ambitious project to develop a potential intercontinental bomber, known as the Guardian of the Hemisphere. Recognizing the need for a powerful aircraft to strike targets across the globe, they awarded a contract to Donald Douglas, a renowned aircraft manufacturer. The foundation for this intercontinental bomber had been laid in the preceding two decades by courageous military and civilian pilots who dared to push the boundaries of distance and endurance. Following World War I, the future Axis and Allied nations began constructing larger aircraft, and during World War II, Germany and Japan became determined to develop intercontinental bombers as a means to retaliate against America. While the XB-19 never flew as an intercontinental bomber or even as a combat bomber, its role as a Flying Laboratory played a significant influence in the development of the Consolidated B-36 Peacemaker, the world's first true intercontinental bomber. Due to the XB-19 project's top-secret nature and the limited production of only one example, there is limited information available for researchers. However, Bill Wolf, a passionate aviation historian, has dedicated his efforts to gather the largest collection of XB-19 material, including photographs, documents, and firsthand narratives. This book presents a meticulously illustrated history of the XB-19 intercontinental bomber, supported by previously unpublished photographs. The XB-19's story is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of those who pushed the boundaries of aviation technology and warfare. It serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifices made by those who ventured into the unknown, and the profound impact their contributions had on the course of history.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 184 x 247 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472847195