What was the Bell P-63 Kingcobra fighter aircraft?
Bell P-63 Kingcobra. The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft developed by Bell Aircraft in World War II from the Bell P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct that aircraft’s deficiencies. Although the P-63 was not accepted for combat use by the United States Army Air Forces, it was adopted by the Soviet Air Force.
When did the Bell P 63C come out?
Bell produced 1,725 P-63As between October 1943 and December 1944. The P-63C featured a distinctive ventral fin below the fuselage. This was followed by the P-63C—the P-63B never went into production. The P-63C featured a distinctive a ventral fin beneath the aft fuselage.
What was the KingCobra used for in World War 2?
The Kingcobra was used to provide fighter cover for ground units, and not as a ground attack aircraft. Another 300 were allocated to France, although only 150-200 appear to have been taken on charge. The first arrived on 26 July 1945, soon after the end of the Second World War, and were used by the GC 1/5 Vendée.
Is the Bell p 63 the same as the bell XP-39E Airacobra?
Very few were used by the US, but a large number did serve in the Soviet Union. Just to cause a little more confusion between the two aircraft, Bell used the same model number for the P-63 and the XP-39E Airacobra, which had a laminar flow wing and a supercharged V-1810 engine.
Which is the fastest version of the Bell p 63?
Only one P-63D was built with a bubble canopy. It was the fastest version of the P-63. Despite being heavier, the P-63D was the fastest version of the P-63 reaching 437 mph at 30,000 feet. 6 The wing was lengthened by 10 inches and it was powered by an Allison V-1710-109 engine producing 1,425 hp.
When was the Bell P-63 Model 33 made?
In September 1942, even before the prototype flew, the USAAF ordered it into production as the P-63A (Model 33).