P-63 Koning Cobra – WalkAround

P-63 King Cobra
Fotograaf	Onbewust
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	42

P-63A-7 Kingcobra
Fotograaf	Cees Hendriks
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	23

Bell P-63F Kingcobra Walk Around
Fotograaf	Vladimir Yakubov
Lokalisatie	Nellis Luchtmachtbasis
Foto 's	59

Zie ook:

Bell P-63E Kingcobra Walk Around
Fotograaf	Vladimir Yakubov
Lokalisatie	Nationaal Museum van de USAF
Foto 's	63

P-63 King Cobra
Fotograaf	Onbewust
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	47

Bell P-63C Kingcobra Walk Around
Fotograaf	Onbewust
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	11

Bell P-63A Kingcobra Walk Around
Fotograaf	Onbewust
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	19

De Klok P-63 Kingcobra was an American single-engine fighter aircraft developed during World War II, intended as a larger, more powerful, and improved successor to the company’s previous design, the P-39 Airacobra. Despite its significant technical advancements, the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) chose not to use it in frontline combat, dedicating the vast majority of its production to the Sovjet-Unie under the Lend-Lease Act.

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Design and Configuration

The P-63 inherited the unique design philosophy of the P-39, featuring a mid-fuselage engine placement which allowed for the concentration of heavy weaponry in the nose. Key design points included:

• Mid-Engine Layout: The Allison V-1710 V-12 liquid-cooled engine was situated behind the pilot, driving the propeller via a long shaft. This unusual placement optimized the aircraft’s center of gravity.
• Laminar Flow Wing: A significant improvement over the P-39, the P-63 used a new laminar flow wing design, improving its aerodynamic efficiency and speed.
• Tricycle Landing Gear: Like its predecessor, it utilized a tricycle undercarriage (with a nose wheel), a modern feature for its era.
• High-Altitude Capability: Later models incorporated a two-stage supercharger for the Allison engine, addressing the poor high-altitude performance that plagued the P-39.

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Armament and Performance

The Kingcobra was primarily built around its formidable main gun, which the Soviet Union particularly valued for ground attack:

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Operational Role

Of the over 3,300 P-63s produced, over two-thirds were sent to the Soviet Union, where it became a workhorse. It saw extensive combat on the Eastern Front, particularly excelling in low-altitude air-to-air combat En grondaanval missions against German forces. Its heavy 37mm cannon was effective in anti-tank and close-support roles.

In contrast, the P-63’s use by the USAAF was limited and highly specialized:

• RP-63 “Pinball”: Many U.S.-retained Kingcobras were converted into manned aerial target aircraft (RP-63 variants). These planes were heavily armored and fitted with sensors that flashed a light in the propeller hub when hit by special non-lethal, frangible bullets, providing essential training for bomber gunners.

The Kingcobra was also supplied to the Free French forces and continued to see service with various nations into the post-war era.

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