There was a show on “The History Channel” about the flying wing. If I remember right, the original design was credited to the Horton Brothers of Germany during WWII.
About 10-15 years back, I took the by-appointment-only tour of the Smithsonian’s Paul Garber Facility in... I believe it was Silver Spring, MD. They had one of the captured Horton Flying Wings there with the wings off packed in with countless other amazing artifacts. I think they moved everything to Reagan... I just was really amazed to see the “backlot”.
Oh... and I saw the miniature Northrop flying wing fly at the Chino Airshow about 15 years back too. I’d dig for pictures, but anymore I check FR on my phone...
The original workable theory behind the flying wing can be traced back to a Frenchman, Alphonse Penaud, in the 1870's time frame.
But the Hortens claim to fame is that they were the first to produce stable flying wing gliders and then the HO 229.
The only know surviving copy is in pieces in the Smithsonian. It's been scheduled for restoration and some work is underway.
And this radar model is in San Diago.
