The Bell P-63 Kingcobra played a significant role during World War II, primarily with the Soviet Air Force.
While the United States Army Air Forces did not deploy it in combat, the Soviets used it extensively, particularly in ground-attack missions.
The P-63 was delivered to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program, and Soviet pilots found it well-suited for their needs.
It was often used as a tank buster, thanks to its 37mm cannon, which was effective against armoured targets.
The aircraft saw action on the Eastern Front and in the Far East, where it contributed to Soviet operations against Japanese forces.
Despite its effectiveness, the P-63 was overshadowed by more famous fighters like the P-51 Mustang.
However, its robust design and fire-power made it a valuable asset in Soviet hands.
Variants
XP-63
Prototypes (two)
(company designation was Model 24)
USAAF serials
(41-19511 and 41-19512).
XP-63A
Following the loss of the first two prototypes, an additional test aircraft was procured, USAAF serial 42-78015,
originally ordered as a testbed for the proposed Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered P-63B.
P-63A
The production model Bell Model 33; 1725 P-63As produced in various sub-marks.
P-63B
Proposed Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered P-63B series was cancelled due to lack of availability of Merlin engines.
P-63C
Second production series differed from the P-63A by being powered by the uprated Allison V-1710-117 engine with a
war emergency rating of 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) at sea level and 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) with water injection.
The wingspan was reduced by 10 inches (250 mm).
A total production run of 1,227 was completed.
P-63D
One aircraft (43-11718) powered by an Allison V-1710-109 (E22) 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) featured a 10 in (25 cm) wingspan increase (to 39 ft 2 in (11.94 m),
gross area being increased to 255 sq ft (23.7 m2) and, most noticeably,
a rearward-sliding bubble canopy.
The series was cancelled in 1945.
P-63E
Essentially similar to the P-63D with the exception of a ventral fin extension and the use of a standard cabstyle cockpit
only 13 built.
P-63F
Bell Model 43 variant featured an enlarged vertical tail and Allison V-1710-135
only two (43-11719 and 43-11722) built.
RP-63A/C Pinball
Target aircraft with five modified from P-63As and 95 modified on production lines
in 1948, surviving RP-63A aircraft were redesignated QF-63A.
A further 200 production RP-63C aircraft were modified on the production line.
Similarly, the surviving RP-63Cs were redesignated QF-63Cs.
Many of the “target” aircraft were actually used as target tugs.
RP-63G “Pinball” “Dedicated” flying targets which included two prototypes (43-11723 and 11724) and 30 production aircraft that incorporated a flush dorsal inlet but, more significantly, lights that would come on when the target was struck with frangible munitions.
In 1948, the remaining RP-63Gs were redesignated QF-63Gs.
L-39
Two war surplus P-63Cs modified by Bell under Navy contract for flight testing of low-speed and stall characteristics of high-speed wing designs.
