Kermac No. 16

Kermac No. 16. The Kermac No. 16 was a pioneering American experimental aircraft designed to explore the feasibility of all-wing, or flying wing, configurations. Developed in the late 1920s by the Kermath Manufacturing Company under the guidance of designer John K. Northrop, it represented a significant, though initially obscure, step in the evolution of tailless aircraft design. Its single example provided critical flight data that would later influence more famous aircraft like the Northrop N-1M and the Northrop YB-35.

Introduction

The Kermac No. 16 emerged during a period of intense aviation experimentation following World War I, as designers sought to overcome the aerodynamic drag and structural weight associated with conventional fuselage and tail assemblies. The project was initiated by John K. Northrop, who had previously worked with companies like Lockheed and Douglas Aircraft Company, and was financially backed by the Kermath Manufacturing Company, a firm better known for marine engines. This aircraft was part of a broader lineage of experimental flying wings, a concept also explored contemporaneously by European pioneers such as Hugo Junkers and Alexander Lippisch. Its development was closely watched by organizations like the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and influenced theoretical work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Design and Development

The design of the Kermac No. 16 was characterized by its clean, all-wing form, which lacked a separate fuselage and conventional empennage. The structure primarily utilized a wooden framework covered with fabric, a common construction method of the era seen in aircraft like the Ford Trimotor. Its wing featured a thick, cantilevered airfoil section that housed the pilot, a single Curtiss OX-5 engine, and the landing gear, conceptually similar to earlier experiments by Vincent Burnelli. The control system relied on innovative, combined elevon surfaces on the trailing edge for pitch and roll control, a principle that would be refined in later aircraft like the Horten Ho 229. Development faced significant challenges in achieving stable flight without a tail, requiring extensive testing and modification at facilities such as Mines Field.

Operational History

The sole Kermac No. 16 prototype made its first flight in 1929, with test flights conducted in California. Its operational history was brief and focused entirely on research, accumulating data on stability, control, and handling characteristics of the flying wing layout. The aircraft was demonstrated for potential military interest, including officials from the United States Army Air Corps, but no production contracts followed. Following the conclusion of its flight test program, the prototype was eventually retired and dismantled. Its most significant operational contribution was the empirical knowledge it provided to John K. Northrop, which directly informed his subsequent, more advanced projects for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Specifications

* **Crew:** One * **Powerplant:** 1 × Curtiss OX-5 V-8 piston engine * **Wingspan:** Approximately 32 ft (9.75 m) * **Wing area:** Approximately 220 sq ft (20.4 m²) * **Empty weight:** Approximately 1,100 lb (500 kg) * **Gross weight:** Approximately 1,650 lb (750 kg) * **Performance:** (Estimated) Maximum speed: 115 mph (185 km/h)

Legacy

The legacy of the Kermac No. 16 lies in its role as a crucial proof-of-concept vehicle in the history of flying wing aircraft. While it never entered production, the lessons learned from its design and flight testing were foundational for John K. Northrop's lifelong pursuit of the all-wing concept. This work culminated in later, more recognizable aircraft such as the Northrop N-9M, the Northrop XB-35, and ultimately informed the development of the modern Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. The aircraft is historically significant as an early American foray into a configuration that would later be associated with advanced stealth technology and efficiency, placing it within the important lineage of experimental aviation that includes the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.52 and the de Havilland DH.108.

Category:Experimental aircraft Category:United States experimental aircraft 1920–1929 Category:Flying wings Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft