The Bell P-59 Airacomet was a single seat, twin jet engine fighter aircraft that was designed during World War II, the first produced in the United States.
As the British were further along in jet engine development, they donated an engine for the United States to copy in 1941 that became the basis for the General Electric jet used by the P-59 a year later.
Because the aircraft was underpowered, the United States Army Air Forces were not impressed by its performance and cancelled half of the original order for 100 fighters, using the completed aircraft as trainers.
Although no P-59s entered combat, the aircraft paved the way for later generations of U.S. turbojet powered aircraft.
Variants
XP-59
Unrelated piston engine powered pusher propeller design developed from the Bell XP-52, none built.
XP-59A
Prototype of the new jet engine powered aircraft.
YP-59A
Series of test aircraft.
YF2L-1
Two YP-59A delivered to the US Navy for carrier evaluation.
P-59A
First production version.
Redesignated ZF-59A in June 1948.
XP-59B
Study for a single engine P-59A.
P-59B
Improved P-59A, 80 aircraft ordered but only 30 built, 50 were cancelled.
Redesignated ZF-59B in June 1948.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Wingspan
45 ft 6 in (13.87 m)
Height
12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Wing area
386 sq ft (35.9 m2)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 66-014
Tip
NACA 66-212
Empty weight
8,165 lb (3,704 kg)
Gross weight
11,040 lb (5,008 kg)
Max take-off weight
13,700 lb (6,214 kg)
Fuel capacity
356 US gallons (1,350 l; 296 imp gal)
Powerplant
2 × General Electric J31-GE-5 centrifugal flow turbojet engines,
2,000 lbf (8.9 kN) thrust each
Performance
Maximum speed
413 mph (665 km/h, 359 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Cruise speed
375 mph (604 km/h, 326 kn)
Range
375 mi (604 km, 326 nmi)
Ferry range
950 mi (1,530 km, 830 nmi)
Service ceiling
46,200 ft (14,100 m)
Time to altitude
30,000 ft (9,144 m) in 15 minutes 30 seconds
Armament
Guns
1 × 37 mm M10 auto cannon with 44 rounds of ammunition
&
3 × .50 cal AN/M2 Browning heavy machine guns with 200 rounds per gun.
