Subscribe to download
X-4 Bantam

The Northrop X-4 Bantam was a prototype small twin-jet aircraft manufactured by Northrop Corporation in 1948. It was designed to test a semi-tailless wing configuration at transonic speeds.

To correct the poor stability, project engineers decided to increase the flap/speed brake trailing edge thickness. The results were positive, with Pilot Walter Jones commenting that the X-4's flight qualities had been greatly improved, and the aircraft did not have pitch control problems up to a speed of Mach 0.92.