testing, a Lockheed P-38 Lightning was used to tow the aircraft on 2 October 1943. In early 1944 the no.2 aircraft was modified to take the Aerojet XCAL-200 rocket motor, and reverted to the secret MX-324 designation. Testing with the rocket motor commenced on 22 June 1944, with the first aerotow launch for a powered flight on 5 July 1944, making it the first US-built rocket-powered aircraft to fly. Flight testing was concluded by 1 August 1944 and the two remaining aircraft were disposed of. MX-334 no.3 was written off on its second flight, on 10 November 1943, after Harry Crosby lost control in the prop-wash of the P-38 tug. Testing Following delays due to burst tires and brake problems during taxiing trials at Muroc dry lake, the XP-79B made its first flight on 12 September 1945, however, 15 minutes into the flight control was lost for unknown reasons while performing a slow roll. The nose dropped, and the roll continued with the aircraft impacting the ground in a vertical spin. Test pilot Harry Crosby had attempted to bail out but was struck by the aircraft and died. Shortly thereafter, the project was canceled along with work on the second prototype. Variants Data from: Northrop Flying Wings : a history of Jack Northrop's visionary aircraft NS-12 Northrop company designation for the MX-324 programme. NS-14 Northrop designation for the XP-79 programme. MX-324 The "secret" designation for the powered version of the MX-334 glider. Only used for the no.2 glider, when powered by a single Aerojet XCAL-200 liquid-fuelled rocket engine. MX-334 The designation used to describe the pure glider version ( including the no.2 aircraft before it was fitted with the rocket engine). MX-365 The USAAC project number for the XP-79 programme XP-79 The initial design for a rocket powered fighter, to have been powered by 2 x Aerojet XCAL-2000 liquid-fuelled rocket engine. XP-79B Three aircraft were ordered but only one was completed, crashing on its first flight on 12 September 1945. Specifications (XP-79B) See also References Bibliography Pelletier, Alain J. "Towards the Ideal Aircraft: The Life and Times of the Flying Wing, Part Two". Air Enthusiast, No. 65, September–October 1996, pp. 8–19. . External links National Museum of the USAF Fact Sheet: Northrop XP-79B Northrop XP-79 P-79 Northrop P-79 Flying wings Twinjets Prone pilot aircraft Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States Aircraft first flown in 1945