gary@ISM780.UUCP (07/13/85)
-------- >>I have seen some footage of the Flying Wing and read that the >>demise was more a political (DoD politics) one than a technical one. >Political: Some powerful congressmen were trying to consolidate the > defense industry, and pushed Northrop to merge with Convair. Northrop > refused, and the congressmen made sure that the B-49 was not bought. I vaguely recall seeing a TV program a few years ago in which the head of Northrop (Mr. Northrop?) alleged that he was presurred by some congressmen and/or military folk to give them a kickback for the Flying Wing contract. He refused; Northrop lost a bunch of military contracts. When asked why he waited so long to come out with the story, he replied that going public at the time would have meant industrial suicide for Northrop. Is this what the original question was referring to? Does anyone else remember such a story, or are my synapses playing tricks on me again? Gary Swift, INTERACTIVE Systems Corp., Santa Monica, Ca., (213) 453 8649 decvax!{cca | yale | bbncca | allegra | cbosgd | ihnp4}!ima!ism780!gary P.S. I understand that Northrop has a quite interesting aviation museum. A friend of mine was able to buy some glossy's of the B-49 there (both the prop and the jet versions). I suppose they are available to anyone who writes; I don't remember what the prices were.