B-43 Jetmaster

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The Douglas B-43 was an experimental bomber aircraft designed for high top speed. It was a redesign of the XB-42 Mixmaster, replacing the piston engines of the XB-42 with turbojets.

Powered by two General Electric J35 engines of 4,000 pounds-force (17.8 kN) thrust each, the XB-43 was the US Airforce's first all-jet bomber. It carried a bombload of 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) and had two .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns in a tail barbette for self-defense.

The YB-43, used only for engine testing, was fitted with a solid nosecone capable of fitting eight .50 machine guns.

The prototype's first flight was on 17 May 1946, however by that time the thought of production had been dropped in favour of the B-45 Tornado.

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