United States' Bell P-63 Kingcobra fighter1
Bell P-63 Kingcobra:
Bell P-63 Kingcobra:
Bell P-63 Kingcobra ready to be delivered to the Soviets:
Bell P-63a6 Kingcobra:
Design
In June 1941 the US Army Air Force ordered two prototypes to be built.1 Its first flight was on December 7, 1942.1 Both prototypes were lost in early accidents.1 Deliveries of the production version began in October 1943.1
Like the P-39 it also had tricycle landing gear, engine behind the pilot, and a door similar to a car for the pilot.1 The P-63 had a taller tail.1
The intake, right behind the cockpit glass, provided air to the carburator.1
Usage
The US Army Air Force decided it was advanced enough and around 2,400 P-63s were shipped to Russia.1 Some also went to the Free French forces.1 One was sent to the RAF.1
Some were also used by the US Army Air Force as trainers.1
Korea
There were some reports by United Nations' pilots that they encountered P-63s flown by North Koreans.1
| P-63A1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 Ground Attack1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | Allison V-1710-931 |
| Cylinders | V-121 |
| Cooling | Liquid1 |
| HP | 1,3251 |
| Propeller blades | 41 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 38' 4"1 11.68 m1 |
| Length | 32' 8"1 9.96 m1 |
| Height | 12' 7"1 3.84 m1 |
| Wing area | 248ft2 1 23.04 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 6,932 lb1 2,892 kg1 |
| Loaded | 10,479 lb1 4,763 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 25,000' 7,620 m |
409 mph1 660 kph1 |
| Cruising speed | 377 mph1 608 kph1 |
| Climb | |
| Service ceiling | 43,200'1 13,106 m1 |
| Range | 450 miles1 724 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Propeller | 37 mm1 |
| Rounds | 301 |
| Nose | 2: 12.7 mm1 |
| Wings | |
| Under wing | 6 rockets1 |
| Bombs | 520 lb1 237 kg1 |
| Production | 3,3001 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
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