Bell D188A (XF-109/XF3L) Jet VTOL Fighter

[jzichek]

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.

-Jared

[jzichek]

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!

-Jared

[jzichek]

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!

[jzichek]

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!

[RMAllnutt]

Looks like a cool aircraft.... but where would they put all the fuel for such a hungry beast?! The harrier was thirsty enough, and it only has one engine, and one without re-heat at that. I can't imagine what six early generation jet engines would have sucked up. Still looks cool though.

Cheers,
Richard

[old iron]

And I thought some of the German late-war paper designs were ambitious!

[jzichek]

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!

[jzichek]

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!

[jzichek]

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.

-Jared

[jzichek]

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.

-Jared

[The Inspector]

I keep thinking that a German company was working on a project that could have been this things brother back in the mid-ish 60's, I just can't recall the manufacturers name-

[airnutz]

You may be thinking Dornier Inspector, but the EWR VJ 101 was a collaboration of Heinkel, Messerschmitt, and Bolkow.

[The Inspector]

That's the one! THANX Tell me that one didn't 'inspire' the design of the other altho the German project did get off the paper and into the air.

[jzichek]

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.

-Jared

[jzichek]

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.

-Jared