Bell P-63 Kingcobra - American Aircraft & Warplanes

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The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was a single-engine, single-seat fighter aircraft used during World War II. It was designed by Bell Aircraft.

Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft

Bell P-63 Kingcobra Overview

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was a fighter aircraft developed by Bell Aircraft Corporation during World War II. It was an improved version of the Bell P-39 Airacobra and was designed to provide better performance and armament than its predecessor.

The P-63 was a single-engine, single-seat aircraft with a low-wing design. It was powered by an Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engine and was armed with a combination of .50 caliber machine guns and 37mm cannon. The aircraft also featured a laminar flow wing design for improved performance at high speeds.

One of the unique features of the P-63 was its engine-mounted supercharger, which provided improved performance at high altitudes. The aircraft also had a tricycle landing gear, which was relatively uncommon at the time.

The P-63 saw service with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II, primarily in the European and Pacific theaters. It was used for a variety of roles, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The P-63 was also supplied to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program, where it was used for both combat and training missions.

After the end of World War II, the P-63 was used by a number of countries, including France, which used the aircraft during the First Indochina War. The P-63 was eventually retired from service in the 1950s.

Today, several P-63s are preserved in museums and private collections around the world, serving as a reminder of this important aircraft’s role in World War II and beyond.

Bell P-63 Kingcobra Specifications

Crew:One
Length:32ft 8in (9.96m)
Wingspan:38ft 4in (11.68m)
Height:12ft 7in (3.84m)
Wing area:248sqft (23.0m²)
Airfoil:root:NACA 66-116;tip:NACA 66-216
Empty weight:6,800lb (3,084kg)
Gross weight:8,800lb (3,992kg)
Max takeoff weight:10,700lb (4,853kg)
Powerplant:1 ×Allison V-1710-117V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,800hp (1,300kW)
Propellers:4-bladed constant-speed propeller

Bell P-63 Kingcobra Performance

Maximum speed:410mph (660km/h, 360kn) at 25,000ft (7,600m)
Range:450mi (720km, 390nmi)
Ferry range:2,200mi (3,500km, 1,900nmi)
Service ceiling:43,000ft (13,000m)
Rate of climb:2,500ft/min (13m/s)
Wing loading:35.48lb/sqft (173.2kg/m²)
Power/mass:0.20hp/lb (0.33kW/kg)

Bell P-63 Kingcobra Armament

Bell P-63 Kingcobra Image Gallery

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Bell P-63 Kingcobra - American Aircraft & Warplanes - Fighters (2024)