<hi style=afpcap>The predecessor to the XP-79 was the Northrop N2M which was allocated the designation XP-56. The aircraft was a tailless design and was fitted with an R-2800 raadial engine fitted in the aft position acting as a pusher. Two examples were purchased, one in 1941 and a second the following year. The prototype (illustrated) made its first flight in September 1943 and like many experimental designs, was little more than a proof of concept. </title></hi>
