Bell XH-15
Bell Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1948 · helicopter
The Bell XH-15 was a single experimental lightweight helicopter developed by Bell Aircraft in the late 1940s, intended to explore a compact and economical design for US Army evaluation. Only one prototype was built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.64 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early Bell experimental lightweight helicopter
- Two-blade teetering rotor
- Sole prototype; program cancelled
A small open-framework boom helicopter with the characteristic Bell two-blade semi-rigid rotor, similar in layout to the Bell 47 but lighter and less refined.
Specifications
- The Bell XH-15 has a length of 13.64 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.36 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1948, the XH-15 used Bell's trademark two-blade teetering rotor system in a compact, lightweight airframe. The Army evaluated the design but did not select it for production; the program was cancelled after limited testing.
Variants
Only one prototype was constructed; no production or further variants followed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; used solely for evaluation by Bell and the US Army.
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