Various Bell ducted-fan VTOL projects

Here's a page from Aviation Week 1965 9-17, showing a test rig, the X-22
tail assembly and an artist's impression of the D-2240 civil ducted fan VSTOL.

Since we are discussing ducted fans, I am putting these pictures here on the chance that someone might know more about the concept. I believe it is a German concept, although I have no idea if it belonged to one of the mainstream aircraft companies. About all I can tell is it is a four post ducted fan aircraft, that appears to be for light transportation or rescue work.

Stargazer2006 said:

The table given by Hesham above mentions a US program designated "D-2240". It is described as having "4 turboprop engines with propellers in circular channels". At first one would think of another derivative of the Bell X-22 (D-2127, a program which also spawned projects such as the D-2020/2022 or D-2064). But then Douglas also had a similar project on the shelf... at the same time... and their D- series was also in the 2000 range at the time... (a picture of the said project is shown below). So what do you think? Does the chart describe a Bell or a Douglas project?

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I found this in my scrap files and I'm not sure where it came from as no title or date are presented along the top or bottom margins. The image is part of a full page ad and the ad text reads as follows.

New generation V/STOL coming up

The Bell X-22A Tri-Service V/STOL features a capability that opens the door to many new and commercial applications. As a transport aircraft of the future, it will provide air service to congested metropolitan centers as well as to remote areas without airports. This dual tandem ducted fan V/STOL configuration will carry passengers and cargo into and out of isolated areas and rugged terrain efficiently and with a minimum landing site. The high cruising speed and hovering ability of this craft will commend it for a variety of air missions including rescue, observation, anti-submarine warfare and countless others. Once again Bell vision and research are contributing significantly to the advance of the air and space age.

Thanks, Artist! I believe the Bell 2240 mystery eventually got solved with the same picture from the same article in a separate topic, but thanks anyway.

Dear Boys and Girls, here is a picture with a caption in French of the Bell D-182A twin-boom tilt-duct VTOL aircraft "project"......

The picture comes from the 4th July 1959 issue of Les Ailes......

Terry (Caravellarella)

Artwork showing the D-182A:

Re: Bell Aerosystems 2240 concept photo

I've always wondered why nothing ever came of the X-22s. They seemed to work fine. (I could swear somebody here explained why but I can't find it for the life of me.)

Also;

From NASA report about V/STOL aircraft.

hesham said:

From NASA report about V/STOL aircraft.

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Which NASA report?

From this report.