Bell X-5
| X-5 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Robert J. Woods |
| Primary users | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| First flight | 20 June 1951 |
| Retired | December 1958 |
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 a further development of 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.