9
$\begingroup$

The tailplane of the Bell X-1 had four evenly-spaced "bumps" on each side--what was their purpose? (Screen shot from The Right Stuff.)

Bell X-1

Another image

enter image description here

If they're hinges for the elevators, then how come the rudder and ailerons have flush hinges?

| improve this question | |
$\endgroup$
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ They are indeed hinges, and I'm guessing (hence not an answer) that the tail airfoil just wasn't thick enough to handle hinges of the size required for the aerodynamic forces. $\endgroup$ – Ron Beyer May 4 '17 at 2:03
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @RonBeyer: No, they hold the counter weight of the elevator, and to avoid flutter this counter weight is distributed over span. $\endgroup$ – Peter Kämpf May 4 '17 at 20:35
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @PeterKämpf When they changed to the all-moving stabilizer did the retain the elevators or did they fix them to the stab? Getting confused reading about it. Some people seem to be describing it as a stabilator, but some seem to describe it more like a trimmable stab and elevator $\endgroup$ – TomMcW May 4 '17 at 21:18
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Btw, there's a pic where you can see them closer here skytamer.com/1.2/2002/2136.jpg $\endgroup$ – TomMcW May 4 '17 at 21:21
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @TomMcW: Trimmable stab and elevator is right. Stabilators were very unusual in the 1940s. $\endgroup$ – Peter Kämpf May 4 '17 at 21:31
4
$\begingroup$

This documentary is about the X-1 breaking the sound barrier. It shows that the bumps are indeed hinges, and that the horizontal tail was indeed originally designed as a trimmable stab and elevator. At 25:40 the control surfaces can be seen moving.

At 35:00 Chuck Yeager talks about losing control at M.94 with this configuration, and then having the tail config reworked into an all flying tail, directly connecting the stabiliser to the stick.

Update Aug 2019

The original clip has been removed, this is the new link. Starts at the movement of the all flying tail.

| improve this answer | |
$\endgroup$
  • $\begingroup$ That youtube video has been removed. Is there another copy online somewhere? $\endgroup$ – Camille Goudeseune Aug 7 '19 at 21:04
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @CamilleGoudeseune looks like this one is similar, time stamps are a.bit later $\endgroup$ – Koyovis Aug 7 '19 at 21:24

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.