The Bell XV-3 was a bold leap into vertical flight technology—a hybrid aircraft featuring massive 25-foot propellers and the early DNA of modern tiltrotors. This experimental convertiplane paved ...

The XV-3 was unveiled at Bell’s Hurst, Texas facility on February 10, 1955, and six months later, on August 11, it was flown in hover mode for the first time by Bell’s chief test pilot ...