This Day in Aviation History
October 28th, 1949
First flight of the Martin XB-51.
 
The Martin XB-51 was an American trijet ground attack aircraft. It was designed in 1945 and made its maiden flight in 1949. It was originally designed as a bomber for the United States Army Air Forces under specification V-8237-1 and was designated XA-45. The “A” ground attack classification was eliminated the next year, and the XB-51 designation was assigned instead. The requirement was for low-level bombing and close support. The XB-51 lost out in evaluation to the English Electric Canberra which entered service as the B-57….
 
Source:
Wikipedia, Martin XB-51: http://gstv.us/2cW1dGa
 
YouTube, Jet Bomber Takes The Air (1949): http://gstv.us/2cW1Q2u
Via British Pathé
 
YouTube, XB-51 Bomber at Edwards AFB: http://gstv.us/2cW199B
 
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Photo from: http://gstv.us/2cW1IQB
 
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