P-63 King Cobra - WalkAround

Bell P-63 KingCobra
Country	USA
Role	Fighter aircraft
First flight	7 December 1942
Built	3303

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.

Source: Bell P-63E KingCobra sur Wikipedia

P-63 King Cobra
Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	42

Bell P-63 King Cobra 01

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P-63A-7 Kingcobra
Photographer	Cees Hendriks
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	23

P-63A-7 Kingcobra

Bell P-63F Kingcobra Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Nellis Air Force Base
Photos	59

Bell P-63F Kingcobra

The Bell 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 Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease Act.

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.

Armament and Performance

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

Primary Armament	One 37mm M4 or M10 cannon firing through the propeller hub.
Secondary Armament	Four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns (two in the nose, two in under-wing pods).
Engine	Allison V-1710 series liquid-cooled V-12, often rated around 1,325 hp.
Maximum Speed	Approximately 410 mph (660 km/h) at altitude.

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 and ground attack 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.