Check out the latest article on RetroMechanix.com presenting some early reports on the Bell D188A VTOL fighter (also known as the XF-109/XF3L, both designations invented by Bell):
The first report, dating from December 1956, presents the earliest known D188A configuration (at least as presented to the Navy), along with a pair of other designs that share characteristics with the earlier D188 design of October 1956. The second report, dating from February 1957, describes a revised version of the D188A powered by six J85 engines. The gallery features 72 images reproducing the reports and includes several high resolution drawings. This is the first of a multi-part series on the type which will be published over the next several months, so please check back frequently for updates.
The second article in a series on the Bell D188A jet VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces a Bell brochure dating from July 1957 which presents a further refinement of the six-jet configuration first illustrated in the February 1957 report covered in Part 1 of the series. The accompanying gallery features 25 images with numerous schematics and illustrations. More installments to follow in the weeks ahead, so please stay tuned!
The third article in a series on the Bell D188A VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces correspondence and progress reports from September through November 1957. The accompanying gallery features 21 images with many interesting drawings, photos and illustrations. More installments to follow in the weeks ahead, so please stay tuned!
The fourth installment in a series on the Bell D188A VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces the first third of a design data summary report submitted by Bell to the Navy on November 15, 1957. The accompanying gallery features 74 images with many interesting high resolution drawings, photos and illustrations. Additional installments to follow in the weeks ahead, so please stay tuned!
The fifth installment in a series on the Bell D188A VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces the second portion of a November 1957 design data summary submitted by Bell to the US Navy. The accompanying gallery features 65 images with several interesting illustrations, along with a detailed technical analysis of the design. Additional installments to follow in the weeks ahead, so please stay tuned!
The evolution of the Osprey, the Harrier, and the F-35!! From the German P1011 came the Bell X-5, then the TFX (F-111), and the F-14. Look up the F-108 (Rapier IIR). The 1950s was a time of wild ideas, some of which came to fruition.
The sixth installment in a series on the Bell D188A VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces the final portion of a November 1957 design data summary submitted by Bell to the US Navy. The accompanying gallery features 63 high resolution schematics of the aircraft, its various components, and alternate configurations. Additional installments on the D188A to follow in the weeks ahead, so please stay tuned!
The seventh installment in a series on the Bell D188A VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces a pair of Bell reports from December 1957 along with a Navy Bureau of Aeronautics memorandum critiquing the design. The accompanying gallery features 39 images, including many photos and illustrations of this ambitious but ultimately cancelled supersonic VTOL fighter.
The eighth installment in a series on the Bell D188A is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces Navy correspondence and a report from February-March 1958 describing various possible Sidewinder installations on the aircraft. The accompanying image gallery features several high resolution drawings of the installations and a photo.
The ninth installment in a series on the Bell D188A/Model 2000 is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces Bell Progress Reports from April-August 1958 documenting the ongoing evolution of the aircraft. The accompanying image gallery features numerous large photos and illustrations of this ill-fated supersonic VTOL fighter design.
The tenth installment in a series on the Bell D188A/Model 2000 is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces Bell Progress Reports from September-December 1958 documenting the continuing evolution of the aircraft. The accompanying image gallery features numerous large photos of the mock-up under construction and scale test models.
The eleventh installment in a series on the Bell D188A is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces a mock-up summary report from January 1958 and features numerous large photos of the completed mock-up and its major components.
The twelfth installment in a series on the Bell D188A/Model 2000 supersonic VTOL fighter is now up at RetroMechanix.com:
The article reproduces a pair of reports from early 1959 - a Progress Report from January and a report on aerodynamic and propulsion model testing from February. The accompanying gallery features 43 images, including numerous high resolution photos and illustrations of the aircraft.
A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com presenting a Bell “XF-109” brochure and mock-up inspection program dating from February 1959:
This is the last article in our series on this ill-fated supersonic VTOL fighter; the profusely illustrated color brochure focuses exclusively on the Air Force variant, while the program provides an interesting overview of the mock-up inspection process and the state of Bell facilities in 1959. The article features 72 images reproducing both documents in full.
