Bell X-5

[Rudolph]

THE X-5 NEVER CARRIED WEAPONS. IF IT HAD, WHAT TYPE WOULD IT HAVE USED?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Please note writing in capitals is considered as "shouting" online. Write in upper and lower case.

The X-5 was only ever a test airplane, so there is little point speculating on what weapons it would have carried. It would not have made a usable fighter.

 

[SOC]

The X-5 was only ever a test airplane, so there is little point speculating on what weapons it would have carried.

Except for the fact that the USAF did toy with the idea of selling it to NATO!

http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4303.pdf

Check page 47.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

The Air Force evaluated the Bell X-5 variable-sweep aircraft to see if it could be modified into a cheap fighter for NATO and other foreign countries.

To which the answer was "no". An X-5 derived light fighter would face difficulties in locating weapons hardpoints, plus inherit the vicious flight characteristics. The sweep mechanism was heavy and cumbersome. It was small, and the advantages over, say, the F-86 seem obscure.

 

[Silencer1]

Hi!
The question reminds me a famous photo of X-5 predecessor (of some kind) - Messerschmitt Me P.1101. Cannon's have been painted on the fuselage nose.

More info here http://www.luft46.com/mess/mep1101.html

 

[Orionblamblam]

It would not have made a usable fighter.

Didn't prevent Bell from studying precisely that. Somewhere around here I have a few Bell drawings for armed operational versions. All guns, no missiles.

I'll see if I can dig 'em up.

 

[fightingirish]

Please see the chapter "The X-5 as a Fighter?" on page 46 ff.

Bell X-5 Research Aircraft Paper
A copy of the research paper written by Warren Greene for the Bell X-5 aircraft. Report was written by the Historical Division of the Wright Air Development Center. Dated March 1954. Details the design and development of the X-5.

Click here to download (11,7 Megs).

Alternate download here.

Source: http://aviationarchives.blogspot.com/2018/10/bell-x-5-research-aircraft-paper.html

Bell X-5 Photos and Drawings
A number of factory and general photos and 3-view drawings of the Bell X-5 aircraft.

Click here to download photos and drawings (71.8 Megs).

Source: http://aviationarchives.blogspot.com/2018/10/bell-x-5-photos-and-drawings.html

 

[Justo Miranda]

X-5

 

[allysonca]

Was just able to snag this on E-Pay and it was almost a fair price. Early design study as you can see by the fixed wing and probably closest to the Messerschmitt Me P.110. Shows age (who doesn't anymore), but most decidedly rare! Once it's in my hot little hands I'll clean it up and retake the pictures in a better environment.

 

[Dew]

Please note writing in capitals is considered as "shouting" online. Write in upper and lower case.

OK .....sorry

 

[yasotay]

i am very envious of allysonca snitching all the cool models online!

 

[Justo Miranda]

i am very envious of allysonca snitching all the cool models online!

Hi

 

[357Mag]

OK .....sorry

IF you write in all “ upper case “, would you be easier to hear ?


Regards,
357Mag

 

[voodoo1]

Here's my solid aluminum X-5