Editing Bell X-1 (section)

===X-1B===
('''Bell Model 58B''')
[[File:Bell X-1B, NMUSAF, 2011.JPG|thumb|right|X-1B at the National Museum of the United States Air Force]]
The '''X-1B''' (serial 48-1385) was equipped with [[aerodynamic heating]] instrumentation for thermal research (more than 300 thermal probes were installed on its surface). It was similar to the X-1A except for having a slightly different wing. The X-1B was used for high-speed research by the U.S. Air Force starting from October 1954, prior to being transferred to the NACA during January 1955. NACA continued to fly the aircraft until January 1958, when cracks in the fuel tanks forced its grounding. The X-1B completed a total of 27 flights. A notable achievement was the installation of a system of small reaction rockets used for directional control, making the X-1B the first aircraft to fly with this sophisticated control system, later used in the [[North American X-15]]. The X-1B is now at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] at [[Dayton, Ohio]], where it is displayed in the museum's Maj. Gen. Albert Boyd and Maj. Gen. Fred Ascani Research and Development Gallery.