Bell X-5

Bell X-5
'
Description
Role	Variable geometry prototype
Crew	1
First Flight	June 20, 1951
Manufacturer	Bell Aircraft Corporation
Dimensions
Length	33ft 4in	10.1m
Wingspan (unswept) (60° sweep)	33 ft 6 in 20 ft 10 in	10.2 m 6.5 m
Height	12ft 0in	3.6m
Wing area	ft²	m²
Weights
Empty	lb	kg
Loaded	lb	kg
Maximum takeoff	9,800 lb	4,400 kg
Powerplant
Engines	1x Allison J35-A-17
Thrust	4,900 lb	21.8 kN
Performance
Maximum speed	716mph	1150km/h
Range	miles	km
Service ceiling	49,900ft	15,200m
Rate of climb	ft/min	m/min
Wing loading	lb/ft²	kg/m²
Thrust/Weight

The Bell X-5 was the first aircraft capable of changing the sweep of its wings in flight. It was inspired by the untested war-time P.1101 design of the German Messerschmitt company. However, whereas the German design could only be adjusted on the ground, the Bell engineers devised a system of electric motors to adjust the sweep in flight while retaining the correct center of gravity.

Two X-5s were built, and first flown in 1951. One was destroyed in a fatal spin accident in 1953. The other remained at Edwards Air Force Base until 1958, being used as a chase plane when its own research program had been completed. It is now on display in the USAF Museum.

The X-5 successfully demonstrated the advantage of a swing-wing design for aircraft intended to fly at a wide range of speeds. The aircraft itself suffered from stability problems, but the concept was later successfully implemented in such planes as the General Dynamics F-111 and F-14 Tomcat.

Also See

• X-plane

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Related content
Related Development	Messerschmitt P.1101
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series	X-2 - X-3 - X-4 - X-5 - X-6 - X-7 - X-8
Related Lists	List of experimental aircraft

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