The early 1930s witnessed an unprecedented surge in aviation innovation. In this era of skyward dreams, the Boeing XB-15 bomber soared into existence. Conceived by the United States Army Air Corps, this giant became a symbol of possibility in both military and commercial aviation.
The XB-15 was Boeing’s answer to a challenge: create a long-range bomber like no other. With its breathtaking wingspan, powerful array of engines, and revolutionary focus on crew comfort, this aircraft was sculpted for the heavens.
Despite its monumental role in the evolution of ‘Super Bombers,’ the XB-15’s tale often remains overshadowed, its contributions to aviation history underappreciated. But, more than just a feat of engineering, the XB-15 was a harbinger of change. Its influence was profound, echoing through World War 2 and into the development of commercial aviation. The design principles and innovations introduced by this aircraft laid the groundwork for the iconic B-17 Flying Fortress and reshaped the future of air travel.
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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.
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Imagine what it could've done with 4 rolls royce merlins in it
This was such an advanced plane that it's hard to believe it began in 1934. 110V internal power, 2 electric generators onboard, autopilot, deicing, and crawl tunnels in the wings. I'd forgotten it was designed to use four 2600 HP engines, but had to make do with 850 HP. Apparently it also lifted a 31,205 lb payload to 8200 feet in 1939. I passed by its final resting place many times.
Cutting Edge！
While she didn't make it to the Smithsonian, 🙁 her DNA lives on in the B-52 Stratofortress, which is STILL around working daily!
15 TONS!
XB-15, nice airframe, unfortunately about five-seven years ahead of the engine power it needed, likewise the Douglas XB-19, powered aviation’s pace has mostly been set by reliable engine power. Also often overlooked in how the manufacturers learnt how to built large aircraft is the ruthless Juan Trippe, head of Pan Am. His demands for large long range flying boats give rise to both the Boeing Clippers (which used the XB-15 wings/engines) and the four engined Martin boats. Of course, the market was too small to cover the development costs, never mind make a profit. The best spin-off from the XB-15 was the more realistic B-17.
The XB-15 was not pressurized. How do you get that wrong? This channel is a misinformation factory.
So what was its range? I never heard it mentioned.
Such a sad and ignominious end.
Boeing isn't flying so high these days…lack of respect for paying attention to detail. Shame…
GR8 vid. A good pairing w/ the YB-19 from a couple of years ago. 👍👍
At 5:50 you probably want to edit, the XB-15 wingspan was nearly one and a half times that of the B-17.
Back when Boeing was great! Today, destroyed by corporate greed.
Very nicey presented.
Bombers were designed to cope with fighters active at the time of their conception. By the time they were in service, however, they'd been leap frogged by fighter technology. B-17s wound up dealing with Me-109 and Focke-Wulfs, B-29s facing MiGs.
I can also see the precursor of the B-29. A beautiful aircraft.
I was in the USAF for 20 years and never heard of the XC-105. I worked C-5s for 13 years and in many ways this was the C-5 of the 30's.
Don'd you want to go metric?
What was wrong with the short sighted idiots back then?!! They were always scrapping iconic aircraft.
You always need a prototype to create an excellent aircraft, the XB15 was this prototype.
Was it 100% genuinely scrapped
A class act not so long after the Wright Brothers did the first powered flight. Back when Boeing was a real aircraft company run by engineers. Biting tongue here….
It's a terrible shame that they destroyed a beautiful airplane, especially since it was a one-of-a-kind prototype. Too many of these were scrapped and not preserved in a museum!
Boeing has come a long way since although it kinda lost its reputation by now as a trend setter of aviation. It now has more a reputation of a lost cause.
shame it was preserved for the usaf museum.
What a hugely interesting story. Thank you.
Fantastic vid! Thanks
Having the XB-15, it still did cost more to develop the B-29, than the Manhattan project
Indian HF24 Marut faced same problem in 60s
It always makes me think of Bugs Bunny and the gremlin cartoon, don't know why 👍
It looks like the B-19 to me.
+
Not so super then.
B17s carried gunners and a bomb or two.
The Douglas XB-19 was larger with a wingspan of 212 feet
once again the idiots at dark skies produce a half assed video that falls short of actual content in favor of narration incapable of the drama it wants to portray.
Why is there "music"?
A good video spoiled by tacky and completely unnecessary 'music'. Why do so many youtube channels feel compelled to have music competing with the narration?
A bit less jingoistic language and more factual information would be better
Looks a bit like an inspiration for Consolidated's B-32 Dominator.
OK, third time hearing USAEC in 1 minute 45 seconds.
Will give this a pass.
I do not know why such historical and unique aircraft are nearly always scrapped instead of being preserved for posterity.