Though it was canceled in 1946, the Bell D-35 legacy endures in aviation history as a bridge to modern interceptors.
The early years of the Cold War saw a series of truly audacious—perhaps insane—concepts for future warplanes. The American Bell D-35 aircraft stands as one of those fascinating footnotes in aviation history, representing the ambitious post-World War II push for advanced interceptor technology.
Developed by Bell Aircraft Corporation in 1945, the D-35 was envisioned as a high-speed bomber-interceptor to counter emerging threats like Soviet nuclear bombers. Though it never progressed beyond conceptual designs, the Bell D-35 history highlights the rapid evolution of military aviation technology from piston-engine fighters to rocket-powered marvels—as the fears of a massive nuclear war consumed the hearts and minds of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union.
The Bell D-35’s Design
Conceived as a supersonic, delta-wing fighter for the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), its origins actually trace back to the closing days of WWII. As Allied forces dismantled the Axis powers, the USAAF anticipated new aerial dangers, particularly from Soviet long-range bombers capable of delivering atomic payloads. In 1945, the USAAF issued a call for proposals to develop a high-altitude, high-speed interceptor.
Bell Aircraft, renowned for experimental designs like the Bell X-1, responded with the D-35 among six competing companies, including Consolidated Vultee, Douglas, North American, Northrop, and Republic Aviation.
The Bell D-35’s development was driven by stringent requirements: achieving speeds up to 700 miles per hour, short bursts of supersonic flight, and climbing to 50,000 feet in just four minutes. This reflected a shift from wartime propeller-driven aircraft to jet and rocket propulsion. Bell’s proposal emphasized rocket boosters for rapid acceleration, positioning the D-35 as a defensive asset for protecting airspace.
Despite detailed engineering, the project never left the drawing board, overshadowed by evolving priorities in the nascent Cold War.
The Bell D-35’s (Hypothetical) Specifications
The Bell D-35’s specifications reveal a compact, innovative aircraft, tailored for speed and agility.
- Year Introduced: Never introduced
- Number Built: 0
- Length: 28.1 ft
- Wingspan: 29.2 ft
- Weight: 17,196 lb empty; 29,101 lb maximum takeoff weight
- Engines: Dual rocket booster powerplant; 12,000 lb thrust each
- Top Speed: 700 mph
- Range: Unknown
- Service Ceiling: ~50,000 ft
- Loadout: Four 50-caliber Browning heavy machine guns
- Aircrew: 1
Performance estimates underscored the D-35’s interceptor role: it was projected to be adept at rapid climbs and high-speed dashes to engage threats before they could strike. Other notable features included retractable landing gear, comprising main legs for ground operations and wingtip skids for field landings—allowing for unconventional launches. The design prioritized survivability, with multi-engine redundancy and high-altitude performance, marking it as a pioneer in swept-wing technology.
Why the Rocket-Powered Bomber-Interceptor Never Took Off
As a bomber-interceptor, the D-35’s role involved rapid scrambles to high altitudes, intercepting intruders with precision. Its design supported X-plane-like development for testing advanced aerodynamics, potentially influencing future fighters.
Despite its promise, the Bell D-35 was abandoned as the USAAF favored proposals from Consolidated Vultee, leading to the Convair XP-92, and Republic Aviation, leading to the XP-91. Technological risks, shifting priorities toward turbojet advancements, and the end of WWII-era funding contributed to its cancellation in 1946.
The Bell D-35 legacy endures in aviation history as a bridge to modern interceptors. Its delta-wing and rocket concepts influenced designs like the Bell X-1 and later supersonic aircraft. Though unbuilt, it exemplifies the innovative—radical—spirit of design in 1940s aerospace, reminding modern aviation scholars of the uncharted paths in military technology.
While this bird never soared, its conceptual contributions to interceptor design remain a testament to Bell’s pioneering role in shaping the skies of the modern age. For enthusiasts exploring Bell D-35 specifications or its history, this unrealized fighter offers timeless insights into the dawn of the jet fighter age.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
