Flight Measurements of the Stability Characteristics of the Bell X-5 Research Airplane in Sideslips at 59 Deg Sweepback

Flight measurements of the stability characteristics of the Bell X-5 research airplane at 59 deg sweepback were made in steady sideslips at Mach numbers from 0.62 to 0.97 at altitudes ranging between 35,000 and 40,000 feet. The results showed that the apparent directional stability was positive and increased at Mach numbers above 0.90. The apparent effective dihedral was positive and high, increasing at Mach numbers above 0.75. The cross-wind force coefficient per degree of sideslip was positive and increased rapidly at Mach numbers above 0.94.