Bell XV-3 tiltrotor

E462883

The Bell XV-3 tiltrotor was an experimental American aircraft that pioneered the tiltrotor concept by combining vertical takeoff and landing capability with the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Bell XV-3 0

Statements (50)

Predicate Object
instanceOf VTOL aircraft
experimental tiltrotor aircraft
rotorcraft
aircraftCategory X-plane NERFINISHED
experimental aircraft
capability conventional forward flight
hover
vertical takeoff and landing
configuration single-engine
tiltrotor
twin-rotor
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
crew 2
designFeature fixed wing for cruise
mechanical tilt mechanism for rotors
tilting rotor nacelles
developedFor United States Air Force NERFINISHED
United States Army NERFINISHED
developedUnder U.S. Army–U.S. Air Force joint program
engineCount 1
engineModel Continental YT51-T-3 NERFINISHED
engineType turboshaft engine
era Cold War
firstFlight 1955-08-11
influenced Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey NERFINISHED
Bell XV-15 tiltrotor NERFINISHED
introducedConcept combining helicopter-like VTOL with airplane-like speed and range
manufacturer Bell Helicopter NERFINISHED
museumDisplay National Air and Space Museum NERFINISHED
notableFor demonstrating transition between hover and forward flight
pioneering practical tiltrotor flight
numberBuilt 2
operator United States Air Force
United States Army
primaryMission evaluation of tiltrotor concept
programGoal assess feasibility of tiltrotor for military use
programStart early 1950s
propulsion shaft-driven rotors on wing tips
role research aircraft
tiltrotor technology demonstrator
rotorLocation wingtip pylons
rotorType two-bladed rotors
safetyIssues encountered aeroelastic and stability problems
status retired
successor Bell XV-15 NERFINISHED
tailConfiguration conventional tailplane
testLocation Edwards Air Force Base NERFINISHED
Fort Worth, Texas NERFINISHED
testOutcome validated basic tiltrotor feasibility despite technical challenges
wingConfiguration high-wing

Referenced by (1)

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Bell Aircraft developed Bell XV-3 tiltrotor