Beating Gravity - Bell Model 65 ATV

Although the Bell company's 1952 concept for a jet-powered fighter gained a feasibility study contract, Bell chose to pursue design of a cheap and simple proof-of-concept vehicle.

This led to the Bell Model 65 Air Test Vehicle (ATV). To speed up construction and minimise costs, the construction relied on as many existing components as possible. The wing was from a Cessna 170 (minus outer sections); the fuselage was from a Schweizer glider; and the fixed undercarriage skids came from the Bell Model 47 helicopter. These combined into a parasol-wing monoplane with a T-tail and two small Fairchild turbojets added.

The jets were fixed at the fuselage centre of gravity, and were able to swivel through 90° to provide a transition between direct lift and direct thrust.

In the fuselage was a gas generator, supplying compressed air to an attitude control system using nozzles in the wing-tips and tail. The ATV was built in eight months, completed in December 1953, and making its first hovering flight in January 1954.

In February an engine failure damaged fuel lines and a resulting fire grounded the ATV. After repairs, trials (none of which involved transition from ascent and hovering to horizontal flight) continued until spring of 1955.