Bell P-63E KingCobra

Bell P-63E KingCobra
Pays	USA
Type	Chasseur

Galerie photo d’un Bell P-63E KingCobra, Le Bell P-63 Kingcobra (Model 24) est un avion de chasse américain développé durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Il est une évolution du P-39 Airacobra destiné à corriger les déficiences de ce dernier. Bien qu’il ne fut pas accepté par la USAAF pour le service opérationnel, il servira avec succès sous la cocarde de l’Armée de l’air soviétique.

Source: Bell P-63E KingCobra sur Wikipedia

Bell P-63E KingCobra – WalkAround
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The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was an American fighter aircraft developed from the earlier P-39 Airacobra to improve its high-altitude performance, incorporating an advanced laminar flow wing and a powerful two-stage supercharged engine. The P-63E was the final production variant, featuring the latest engine and aerodynamic improvements.

Although the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) deemed the P-63 surplus to requirements due to the superiority of the P-51 Mustang, over 3,300 Kingcobras were built, with the vast majority (around 2,400) being shipped to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program, where they saw extensive combat use, particularly in the ground attack role.

Key Specifications (P-63E)

Characteristic	Detail
Role	Fighter / Ground Attack
Manufacturer	Bell Aircraft Corporation
Engine	Allison V-1710-109 V-12 liquid-cooled engine
Horsepower	1,425 hp (with improved supercharging)
Max Speed	Approx. 410 mph (660 km/h) at 25,000 ft
Service Ceiling	Approx. 39,000 ft
Armament (Standard)	1 x 37 mm M10 Cannon (firing through propeller hub, 58 rounds) 4 x 0.50 cal M2 Browning Machine Guns (2 nose, 2 wing)
External Stores	Up to 1,500 lbs (bombs or drop tanks on centerline and underwing pylons)
Distinguishing Feature	Standard « Car-Door » Canopy (unlike the P-63D prototype’s bubble canopy)

Design and Service Notes

Mid-Engine Design: Like the P-39, the Kingcobra featured its engine behind the pilot, driving a 4-bladed propeller via a long driveshaft, allowing for the heavy cannon to be mounted in the nose.
Laminar Flow Wing: The P-63 was significantly larger than the P-39 and introduced a laminar flow wing design, similar to the P-51, which improved high-speed characteristics.
The « Pinball » Variant: An unusual variant, the RP-63 (modified from A and C models, not E), was a manned target aircraft used for gunnery practice. It was heavily armored and fitted with external lights that illuminated when struck by frangible (disintegrating) bullets.
Lend-Lease Success: The Kingcobra was a highly valued fighter on the Eastern Front, appreciated by Soviet pilots for its heavy armament (the 37 mm cannon was particularly effective), ruggedness, and relatively good performance at medium altitudes.
Limited Production: Only 13 units of the P-63E-1 were produced before the end of the war led to the immediate cancellation of the remaining large contract.