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United States' Bell P-59 Airacomet jet fighter¹

Bell P-59 Airacomet:

Bell P-59 Airacomet:

Bell P-59 Airacomet:

Bell P-59B Airacomet, cockpit:

Design

The Bell P-59 Airacomet met a September 1941 requirement for a fighter that would use two Whittle turbojets.¹ These were turbojets that were developed by Britain and brought to the United States in October 1941.¹

Early Issues

Early on, it was realized that the P-59 couldn't be effective as a front line fighter.¹ It was decided to use the P-59 as fighter trainers.¹

Prototype

The XP-59A prototype flew for the first time on October 1, 1942.¹

The YP-59A flew in August 1943.¹

Production

• XP-59A: 3¹
• YP-59A: 13¹
• P-59A: 20¹
• P-59B: 30¹
• Total: 66¹

Production was cancelled in October 1944.¹

Variants

• XP-59A: Used Whittle turbojets (called General Electric Type I-A).¹
• YP-59A: Had longer fuselages and General Electric I-16 engines (1,600 lb / 7.2kN).¹
• P-59A: First flew in August 1944.¹
• P-59B: Had minor changes.¹

Usage

The United Kingdom and United States used the P-59.¹ One P-59 was sent to England in exchange for a Gloster Meteor.¹

The United States Navy received three P-59s and designated them XF2L-1.¹

The 412th Fighter Group was equipped with the B-59.¹

	Bell P-59 Airacomet1
Type	Jet fighter trainer1
Crew	11
Engine (Type)	2: General Electric J31-GE-3/5 turbojets1
Thrust	2,000 lb each1 9.0 kN each1
Dimensions
Span	45' 6"1 13.87 m1
Length	38' 10"1 11.83 m1
Height	12' 4"1 3.76 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty	8,165 lb1 3,704 kg1
Loaded	13,700 lb1 6,214 kg1
Performance
Speed @ 30,000' / 9,144 m	413 mph1 665 kph1
Cruising speed	375 mph1 603 kph1
Climb to 10,000' / 3,050 m	3.2 minutes1
Service ceiling	46,200'1 14,080 m1
Range	525 miles1 845 km1
Armament
Nose	1: 37 mm1 3: 0.5" MG1

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

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