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Jack Northrop was an innovative aircraft designer
who was associated with Douglas and Lockheed during most of
the 1920s. In 1932 he partnered with Donald Douglas to found Northrop
Corporation. Labor troubles during the Depression eventually led to the
dissolution of the company in 1937, leaving Northrop a bitter man.
However, in August 1939, Northrop founded Northrop Aircraft
Incorporated, which was more successful, largely because of the wartime
demand for aircraft.
Northrop was a champion of the flying wing
concept, but no flying wing saw operational service until long after
the Pacific War.
Northrop Aircraft produced the A-35
Vengeance and P-61
Black Widow at its Inglewood
plant. Production averaged 24 A-35 per month to May 1943 and 37 P-61
per month from March 1944 to the end of the war. Northrop also produced
subassemblies for the PBY Catalina.
References
U.S.
Centennial of Flight Commission (accessed 2008-6-14)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2008 by Kent G. Budge. Index
