11/30/2006. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Design started as a private venture and on June 25, 1943, Douglas received a contract for two aircraft designated XA-42, being changed on November 26, 1943, to XB-42. First flight took place on May 6, 1944. The end of the war prevented the XB-42 to go into series production. Second prototype (43-50225) crashed near Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., USA, on December 16, 1945. 43-50224 was converted to XB-42A, fitted with additional underslung turbojets, first flown on May 27, 1947. It is now preserved at NASM's Paul E. Garber Facility in Suitland, Maryland, USA."