Air Force museum opens new hangar
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The Bell X-5 is moved toward the new hangar at the National Musuem of the U. S. Air Force. The X-5 was the world's first airplane to vary the sweepback of its wings in flight. The X-5 was based upon the design of a Messerschmitt P. 1101 airplane discovered in Germany at the end of World War II, although the P. 1101 could vary its sweep only on the ground. The first X-5 flight was made on June 20, 1951. On the airplane's ninth flight, its wings were operated through the full sweep range of 20-60 degrees according to the Museum website. TY GREENLEES / STAFF