Northrop X-4 Bantam

Northrop · United States · first flew 1948 · fighter

The X-4 Bantam was a small NACA/USAF research jet built to test whether a semi-tailless, swept-wing layout could fly safely near the speed of sound.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Small stubby jet with swept wings and no horizontal tailplane
• Single vertical fin at the tail with no separate tailplane surfaces
• Wing-mounted elevons doubling as flaps and speed brakes

The stubby fuselage, swept wings and complete absence of a horizontal tailplane make it instantly distinct from any tailed jet of its era.

Specifications

• The Northrop X-4 Bantam has a length of 7.1 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 8.2 m (27 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 1006 km/h (625 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Two Bantams flew ninety research flights between 1948 and 1953, testing wing-mounted elevons in place of a conventional tailplane, with the most intensive trials run by NACA at what became Edwards Air Force Base from 1950.

Variants

Only two airframes were built and no production version followed; both served purely as flight-research vehicles.

Where you'll see it

Testing showed the tailless layout suffered from porpoising and control problems as it neared Mach 1, proving the concept unsuitable with the technology of the day; both airframes survive — 46-676 at the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base, and 46-677 at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

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