XB-26H Stump Jumper

[kiradog]

Anyone have any info on this prototype?

 

[Steve Pace]

It's main purpose was to test bicycle-type landing gear for the upcoming Martin XB-48 and XB-51 airplanes. -SP

 

[Steve Pace]

It was nicknamed "Middle River Stump Jumper." -SP

 

[Jos Heyman]

A single B 26G, 44-68221, was converted to XB-26H when it was fitted with a tandem main undercarriage as a test for the B 47 and B 48 designs. On 10 June 1948 the aircraft was redesignated as ZXB 26H.

 

[CostasTT]

Some more pictures:

 

[Stargazer]

I'm puzzled about the strips that run across on the sides of the fuselage. They look like girders or strengtheners of some kind. Any idea what they were for?

 

[joncarrfarrelly]

External strengthening required by the landing gear installation.
The B-26 was designed to absorb the landing gear stresses in the
wing structure, not the center of the fuselage.

 

[Stargazer]

Thanks a lot for confirming my suspicion, joncarrfarrelly!

 

[Arjen]

Thanks gents.

I had heard of this bird before, but these are the first pictures I've ever seen of it.

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

I'm just wondering if the "Stump Jumper" activities would count as postwar?

 

[Steve Pace]

It was postwar

 

[Stargazer]

I'm just wondering if the "Stump Jumper" activities would count as postwar?

It was postwar

Topic moved accordingly. Thanks folks.

 

[Arjen]

Side view.