Bell X-14
Bell Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1957 · fighter
The Bell X-14 was an American experimental VTOL research aircraft that used vectored thrust from two turbojet engines to achieve vertical take-off and landing without rotating rotors or lift fans. It was one of the first successful jet-powered VTOL aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.62 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- VTOL research aircraft with vectored thrust from embedded jet exhausts
- Open-cockpit experimental design
- Used by NASA for V/STOL research and astronaut training
An unusual open-cockpit aircraft with a straight wing, side-by-side turbojet inlets in the nose area, and exhaust nozzles that rotate downward for vertical lift.
Specifications
- The Bell X-14 has a length of 7.62 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.36 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 277 km/h (172 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1957, the X-14 was developed by Bell to explore the feasibility of jet-powered VTOL flight using thrust vectoring. NASA subsequently used the aircraft extensively for research and as a lunar-landing training aid for Apollo astronauts.
Variants
The X-14A and X-14B were re-engined variants used throughout the test programme into the 1970s.
Where you'll see it
Operated solely as a research aircraft by Bell and NASA; never entered military service.
Related aircraft
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