Douglas XB-19 38-471 United States Army Air Corps

These are 1/72 scale decals for Douglas XB-19 38-471, assigned to the 20th Bombardment Squadron, United States Army Air Corps — the largest bomber aircraft built in the United States during World War II.

The XB-19 was a truly extraordinary aircraft by any measure. With a wingspan of 212 feet and a gross weight of over 160,000 pounds, it dwarfed every other American aircraft of its era and would not be surpassed in size by a U.S. bomber until the postwar jet age. Designed in the mid-1930s under the USAAC's ambitious XBLR (Experimental Bomber Long Range) program, the XB-19 was intended to explore the outer limits of what a very long-range strategic bomber could be — a flying laboratory as much as a practical weapon.

Only one XB-19 was ever built, and by the time it finally flew in June 1941 — after years of delays — it was already technologically overtaken by newer designs. Assigned to the 20th Bombardment Squadron, it spent its career as a research and transport testbed, accumulating valuable data on the behavior of very large aircraft that informed the design of future heavy bombers. It was eventually re-engined with Allison V-3420 engines and redesignated XB-19A, serving until it was scrapped in 1949.

An iconic and monumental subject — the ultimate expression of prewar American strategic bombing ambition. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.