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Bell X-22A

Description
  Manufacturer:Bell
  Base model:X-22
  Designation:X-22
  Version:A
  Designation System:U.S. Air Force
  Designation Period:1948-Present
  Basic role:Research
  Crew:2

Specifications
  Length: 39' 7" 12.0 m
  Height:20' 8" 6.3 m
  Wingspan: 39' 3" 11.9 m
  Wingarea: 850.0 sq ft 78.9 sq m
  Empty Weight: 11,458 lb 5,196 kg
  Gross Weight: 18,016 lb 8,170 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 4
  Powerplant: General Electric YT58-GE-8D
  Horsepower (each): 1250

Performance
  Range: 445 miles 716 km
  Max Speed: 255 mph 410 km/h 221 kt
  Ceiling: 27,800 ft 8,473 m

Known serial numbers
151520 / 151521


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Tom
 Lancaster, NY
I wonder if anyone has any still photos of the Condor RV that was used for ground testing for the X-22A . I have this unit and would love to hear more of the history behind it with the X-22 A craft . I would be happy to have a photo of the craft with the RV in the background or anything that someone may have in copy form . Thanks
04/04/2016 @ 14:27 [ref: 69556]
 Robert Mazurowski
 Washington, DC
The picture of the model I'm referring to below is the one with Jack Bielman standing next to it.
Bob@BobMaz.net
12/22/2015 @ 09:59 [ref: 69375]
 Robert Mazurowski
 Washington, DC
My dad was Frank Mazurowski and was an artist/technical illustrator. He worked in the model/display shop at Bell in the early 1960s. In 1964 he started work at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratories (now Calspan) in the technical publications department. I know he scratch-built a model of the X-22 around that time period for display. I am unsure if it was for Bell or Calspan (as both were associated with the craft at one point or another). He always said the model ended up on display in a museum many years ago and thought it was the Smithsonian Aeronautical museum on the National Mall. Our family has no way of verifying any of this information but we would love it if anyone knew of the whereabouts of that model. Could the one pictured below be that model or could the line drawings shown below be his illustrations?
Just a little detail...he said that he made the props of the model spin freely so that when it was initially presented a small fan could gently blow at it to spin the props. I do not know specifically why the model was built or who it may have been initially presented to.
12/22/2015 @ 09:53 [ref: 69374]
 Dave
 , MA
The ducts were the problem. Reverse airflow during transition.
On to nola michoud & ses100b.
04/06/2015 @ 17:06 [ref: 69019]
 Tom
 Lancaster, NY
In regards to the X 22 , I own the motorhome that was ground control for this exciting ship . It is equipped with ( 2) 5 kW Onan Generators , (2) roof a/c units .It is a Condor 1968or9 with very low miles and hours .A very solid unit . Some of the mounts and brackets are still in tact which housed a lot of the instrumentation . This unit is still the same way I purchased it several years ago by bid . I need to do something with it and I need to know if there is any interest in it . Please call (716) 462 7003 Thank You l
08/05/2014 @ 07:06 [ref: 68587]
 Russ Voelker
 Martinsburg, WV
Scott, you might want to click on, or cut and paste,this link http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-22-A-Bell-Aerospace-Airplane-Wood-Model-Free-Ship-New-/130453488101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5fa241e5 to find a model of the X-22a. Photos are already posted of this model I purchased.
09/05/2013 @ 12:51 [ref: 68049]
 Scott
 Niagara Falls, NY
I am looking for a shelf/desktop display model of the X-22. Does anyone have one or know of anyone who might have one for sale?
08/22/2013 @ 08:19 [ref: 68027]
 Art Fromm
 Newfane, NY
My post was supposed to be titled "On Behalf of the Paul and Clara Lou Fromm Family"
04/30/2013 @ 11:12 [ref: 67779]
 Art Fromm on behalf of the Paul and
 Newfane, NY
My Dad, Paul Fromm, helped design the complicated hydraulics for this amazing aircraft.

I'll never forget the time that he took me to work at Bell on Niagara Falls Blvd. and let me stand on the cockpit step right next to one of the huge fan ducts (not running obviously), and walking on the catwalk above the full-size mock-up of the hydraulic controls and electrical system. I also remember witnessing some test flights, as well as test flights of the Bell "Rocket Belt," and Hydro Skimmers.

He was very proud of the X-22a and was devastated when the first one crash landed. Too bad the second one didn't make it further than the prototype/experimental phase.

We recently added Dad's name to the Wall of Honor at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport, "Dedicated to all who have shared a passion for flight," and went as a family to see it. In the museum we noticed that they had one of the scale models of the X-22a on display. Interestingly they had the display wrong - the two front fans were pointing down (which was impossible) and the back two were pointing up, which would have put the aircraft into nose-down summersault. I notified the people at the museum and hopefully they've corrected it. (I'll try to post a photo).

Good work by all the fine Bell employees who designed, built, and flew this amazing aircraft!
04/30/2013 @ 11:01 [ref: 67778]
 Patrick Gorman
 Corry, PA
I worked for Bell AeroSpace during the late 60's/early 70's and worked in Quality Control in the R & D Lab. The lab was run by a Charlie Billman I believe. I had the opportunity to inspect some minor component assy's used on the X-22 such as small cable assy's and such. On lunch breaks, we would walk over to the hanger(s) and sometimes get to see the X-22's. My family owned a greenhouse business on Ward Road out in Sanborn which was just about where 1520 went down. It was cordoned off very quickly and we did not get any pictures of it. I did see much of the wreckage after it was placed in the hanger at the Bell Plant in Wheatfield. I have seen and taken photos of 1521 when it was on display at the Museum in Niagara Falls when it was located on 3rd and Niagara Street. I have purchased a resin kit of the X-22 which I have not built yet but hope to soon. I look forward to seeing her on display again!
02/05/2013 @ 10:46 [ref: 67554]

 

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