The flying wing shape by itself does not demand FBW, as the XB-35 and
YB-49 designs of the 40's were controllable without computer assistance.

Not really. The 35 had those great engine pods, and the 49 had a bunch
of vertical fins, so in fact neither one was a true flying wing.
Nobody ever managed to fly the 35 enough to determine its utility (the
long shafts were the main problem), and the 49 was so afflicted by
dutch roll that the bombardier got sicksick. Plus there was the
question whether it (and a British flying wing design) wasn't prone to
spin around its lateral axis. The latter is disputed. For opposing
views see www.warbirdforum.com/cardenas.htm and
www.warbirdforum.com/tucker.htm

The Germans may have had more success with their nurflugels. It's hard
to tell; the most famous Horten design killed its test pilot in
disputed circumstances. I once corresponded with a Horten associate
who claimed that the problem with the Northrop designs had to do with
center of gravity, but I'm not enough of an engineer to follow these
arguments.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! weblog www.vivabush.org