Newman R&D 1/72 Northrop JB-1 "Bat"
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Overview
The JB-1 was a manned glider designed to test the concept of the jet
propelled bomb that Northrop was developing. On August 27, 1943, the
first JB-1 was towed to altitude and released for its first glide flight
over Roger Dry Lake at Muroc AAB. The aircraft was a successful glider,
and made several test flights throughout 1944, until the design was retired.
For several decades, the JB-1 belonged to the Northrop Aeronautical Institute
until 1984, when it was restored and put on display at the Western Museum
of Flight in Hawthorne, California.
 The Kit
This is a very simple model to build, as it is basically just a flying
wing. There are only ten pieces in this kit, with the majority being
detail pieces. The largest piece is the solid wing piece, which is oddly
colored due to the embedded metal pieces that should keep this from being
a tail dragger. The cockpit has a separate instrument panel and control
stick, with a separate upper decking to make painting this interior simple.
The remaining pieces make up the various small details, such as the rear
fin, landing gear, pitot tube, and venturi.
 The decal sheet is small, as would be expected for such a small aircraft.
In fact, the only markings provided are the national insignia, a Northrop
triangle for the nose, and two red circles for atop the pods adjacent
to the main fuselage. Overall coloration is yellow.
Conclusion
This is a very simple model of a unique little glider, and will make
for a great weekend project. My thanks to Muroc Models for
the review sample. Muroc Models are available from the AFFTC Museum gift
shop. Contact Doug Nelson,
Director, AFFTC Museum, phone: (661) 277-8050 for ordering information.
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