Revell's classic 1/40 scale
Bell X-5

by Steve Eggers

  

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The X-5 was tested from 1951 until 1955 at the NACA High-Speed Research Station. Built by Bell Aircraft Company, the X-5's maiden flight was June 20, 1951. The X-5 was the first aircraft capable of sweeping its wings in flight and helped our understanding of wing-sweep angles of 20, 45, and 60 degrees at subsonic and transonic speeds.

The X-5 was tested from 1951 until 1955 at the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station. Built and initially flight tested by Bell Aircraft Corporation, the first X-5 flight was on June 20, 1951. The X-5 was the first aircraft capable of variably sweeping its wings in flight and helped our understanding of wing-sweep angles of 20, 45, and 60 degrees at subsonic and transonic speeds. The X-5 Ship #1 (50-1838) was flown by NACA from 1952 to late 1955. The X-5 Ship #2 (50-1839) was operated only by Bell and the Air Force and was lost in a spin accident in 1953.

The X-5 was a single-place aircraft powered by an Allison J-45-A jet engine, and measuring 36 feet in length with a wingspan of 19 feet (with the wings swept back 60 degrees). The X-5 weighed 10,000 pounds when fully fueled.

Results of the research program demonstrated that the variable-wing-sweep principle worked. With the wings fully extended the low-speed performance was improved for take-off and landing and when swept back the high speed performance was improved and drag reduced. The pilots found they could use the variable wing sweep as a tactical control to out-perform the accompanying escort aircraft during research missions.

X-5 flight tests provided some of the design background for the F-111 and the Navy F-14 tactical aircraft.

What's in the Box

Revell’s X-5 kit was originally released in 1950s; with subsequent releases in the 1980’s History Makers series and the Yeager’s Superfighters series.

The kit represents Bell Aircraft X-5, Ship #1, serial number 50-1838.

The kit is an odd, “fit-the-box”, 1/40th scale. The kit contains 55 parts molded in white and clear plastic, and contains a pilot figure. Notably, this kit has finely engraved panel lines.

This kit recalls the days when model kits were more perceived as toys rather than what we consider model kits as today. This kit has retractable landing gear, working gear doors, a sliding canopy and movable swing wings (although they are independent of each other, unlike today’s F-14 or F-111 kits).
As with all early scale model kits from that era, the plastic is thick, the parts don’t line up quite right, and some filling and sanding is required. There were some sink along the spine on both sides of the fuselage, but nothing that filling and sanding can’t fix.

I built this model out of the box. The only thing that I added was a glare shield in the cockpit as it did not have one. I used some Evergreen sheet styrene to accomplish this. I don’t know what thickness, it was whatever was sitting on top in the scrap box at the time I reached over and grabbed.

I decided to pose this aircraft in flight. I went to the local Hobby Lobby and purchased a wooden base for 99 cents and a bag of dowel rods fro $1.49. I went home, estimated the “proper” angle and drilled a hole in the base and - BINGO, instant display stand!

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images: 

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After using some minor wood working skills, I painted the base Gloss Black found some dry transfer letters to place on the base to give it that “professional” look. I clear coated the base to seal the dry transfers.

All of the X-5’s were painted overall gloss white. I painted the entire model with several coats of Testor's flat white.

After the paint had thoroughly dried, I sanded the entire model with 2000 grit wet/dry. This smoothed out the paint and gave a semi-gloss appearance.

The kit decals were in pretty sad shape. So I drew heavily on the spares box. The only thing I used from the kit sheet was the “Bell Aircraft” and Bell X-5”.

I also looked for “appropriate” stencils to place in various locations on the aircraft.

I got this model as an addition to my Revell D.558-II. This was a fun model to build. I like taking an old kit, especially these old Revell kits and taking the time to make them into something really presentable.

I have had older modelers look at these kits and say, “Look, an X-5, I remember building that as a kid.”

Next project - Revell’s X-3 and X-15 kit to complete the collection.
 

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2005 by Steve Eggers
Page Created 27 April, 2005
Last Updated 27 April, 2005

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