Bell X-22
| Image requested | |
| Type | Experimental |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | DarthChocolate |
| FDM | none (yet) |
| --aircraft= | X-22 |
| Status | alpha |
Aircraft Information
The Bell X-22 was a US futuristic style aircraft with four tilting ducted fans. Take-off was controlled either with the propellers tilted vertically upwards, or on a short runway with the nacelles tilted forward at approximately 45°. Additionally, the X-22 was to provide more insight into the tactical application of vertical take-off troop transporters such as the preceding Hiller X-18 and the X-22 successor, the Bell XV-15. Another program requirement was a true airspeed in level flight of at least 525 km/h (283 knots; 326 mph). Three-blade propellers were mounted on four wings and, synchronized through a wave-interconnection system, were connected to four gas turbines which themselves were mounted in pairs on the rear wings. Maneuvering was achieved by tilting the propeller blades in combination with control surfaces (elevators & ailerons), which were located in the thrust stream of the propellers.
Only 2 were ever built during its testing stages, similarly designed to other test aircraft such as the Hiller X-18, which was slightly similar but with many variations to its shape and design technology. Both the Hiller X-18 and Bell X-22 never went into major production stages as they were too inefficient for military, passenger and cargo services and were too expensive to run.
Technical Data
- Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
- Span 11.96 m (rear wings) 7.01 m (front wings)
- Length 12.07 m
- Height 6.31 m
- Propeller Diameter 2.13 m
- Empty Weight 4763 kg
- Take-Off Weight 8020 kg
- Crew 2
- Max. Speed 221 knots (410 km/h; 255 mph)
- Range 445 mi (712 km)
- Service Ceiling 27,800 ft (8,475 m)
- Hovering Altitude with Ground effect 12,000 ft (3658 m)
- Hovering Altitude without Ground effect 6,000 ft (1829 m)
- Powerplant 4 General Electric-YT58-GE-8D-Turboshafts 932 kW (1267 hp) each
TODO
- Exterior Model
- Cockpit
- Cabin
- Instruments
- FDM
- Animations