The Bell X-5 was the first aircraft capable of changing the sweep of its wings in flight. It was inspired by the untested wartime P.1101 design of the German Messerschmitt company. In contrast with the German design which could only have its wing sweepback angle adjusted on the ground, the Bell engineers devised a system of electric motors to adjust the sweep in flight.
Maximum speed: 1,152 km/h (716 mph) Range: 750.00 mi Maiden flight: 20 Jun 1951 Length: 33.33 ft Wingspan: 21.33 ft Height: 12 ft Cruising speed: 965.60 km/h (600 mph)
Interesting Fact: Expressed the advantage of a “sweep wing” design for aircraft intended to fly at a wide range of speeds.
After witnessing Germany’s Messerschmitt P1101, the U.S. developed their Bell X-5 with sweeping wings at three positions (20, 40, and 60 degrees). But the aircraft developed stability issues, and there were no more than two created. However, the swing wing design was implemented in multiple other aircraft such as the General Dynamics F-111, Grumman F-14 Tomcat, and the MiG-23.
General Characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 33 ft 4 in (10.1 m) Wingspan:Unswept: 33 ft 6 in (10.2 m) 60° sweep: 20 ft 10 in (6.5 m) Height: 12 ft (3.6 m) Wing area: 175 sq. ft. (16.26 m².) Empty weight: 6,336 lb (2,880 kg) Max. takeoff weight: 9,980 lb (4,536 kg) Powerplant: 1 × Allison J35-A-17 turbojet, 4,900 lbf (21.8 kN)
Role: Research aircraft Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft Corporation Designer: Robert J. Woods First flight: 20 June 1951 Retired: December 1958 Primary users: United States Air Force National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Number built: 2
Performance Maximum speed: 716 mph (1,150 km/h) Range: 750 mi (1,207 km) Service ceiling: 49,900 ft (15,200 m) Thrust/weight: 0.50:1
