The Bell P-63 Kingcobra, an American fighter aircraft developed by Bell Aircraft during World War II, built upon the foundation of the earlier Bell P-39 Airacobra.
The design of the P-63 was enhanced with feedback from P-39 pilots, resulting in a superior aircraft in almost every aspect.
While the United States Army Air Forces did not adopt the P-63 for combat use, it found its place in World War II with the Soviet Air Force, which had been the primary user of the P-39.
Variants
XP-63 Prototypes
2 Built
(Company designation was Model 24)
XP-63A Prototype
After the loss of the initial two prototypes, a further test aircraft, USAAF serial 42-78015, was acquired.
It was initially ordered as a test bed for the proposed Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered P-63B variant.
P-63A
The production model was the Bell Model 33, with 1725 units built.
P-63B
The proposed Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered P-63B series was cancelled because Merlin engines were not available.
P-63C
The second production series of the P-63A was distinguished by its upgraded Allison V-1710-117 engine, which offered a war emergency rating of 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) at sea level and 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) with water injection.
Additionally, the wingspan was shortened by 10 inches (250 mm).
A total of 1,227 units were produced.
P-63D
The aircraft, numbered 43-11718, was equipped with an Allison V-1710-109 (E22) engine, producing 1,425 hp (1,063 kW).
It featured a wingspan extended by 10 inches (25 cm) to 39 feet 2 inches (11.94 m), increasing the gross area to 255 square feet (23.7 m²), and most notably, it had a rearward sliding bubble canopy.
The series was discontinued in 1945.
P-63E
The P-63E was essentially similar to the P-63D, except for a ventral fin extension and the use of a standard “cab” style cockpit; only 13 were built.
P-63F
The Bell Model 43 variant was equipped with an enlarged vertical tail and an Allison V-1710-135 engine, with only two units constructed.
RP-63A/C “Pinball”
Target aircraft included five modified P-63As and 95 modified on production lines; in 1948, the surviving RP-63A aircraft were redesignated as QF-63A.
Additionally, 200 production RP-63C aircraft underwent modifications on the production line.
Likewise, the remaining RP-63Cs were redesignated as QF-63Cs.
Many of these “target” aircraft were in fact used as target tugs.
RP-63G “Pinball”
Dedicated flying targets, including two prototypes and 30 production aircraft, featured a flush dorsal inlet and, more notably, lights that activated upon impact with frangible munitions.
In 1948, the remaining RP-63Gs were redesignated as QF-63Gs.
Two surplus P-63Cs were modified by Bell under a Navy contract to test the low-speed and stall characteristics of high-speed wing designs.
Specifications
Crew
One
Length
32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
Wingspan
38 ft 4 in (11.68 m)
Height
12 ft 7 in (3.84 m)
Wing area
248 sq ft (23.0 m2)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 66-116;
Tip
NACA 66-216
Empty weight
6,800 lb (3,084 kg)
Gross weight
8,800 lb (3,992 kg)
Max take-off weight
10,700 lb (4,853 kg)
Powerplant
1 × Allison V-1710-117,
V-12 liquid cooled piston engine,
1,800 hp (1,300 kW)
Propellers
4 bladed constant speed propellers
Performance
Maximum speed
410 mph (660 km/h, 360 kn) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Range
450 mi (720 km, 390 nmi)
Ferry range
2,200 mi (3,500 km, 1,900 nmi)
Service ceiling
43,000 ft (13,000 m)
Rate of climb
2,500 ft/min (13 m/s)
Wing loading
35.48 lb/sq ft (173.2 kg/m2)
Power/mass
0.20 hp/lb (0.33 kW/kg)
Armament
Guns
The aircraft was equipped with one 37 mm (1.5 in) M4 cannon firing through the propeller hub.
Starting with the A-9 version, the M4 was substituted by the enhanced M10 37 mm cannon, featuring a disintegrating link ammunition belt that expanded the ammunition capacity to 58 rounds and offered a marginally higher firing rate.
Additionally, there were four 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, with two synchronised in the nose and two mounted in the wings.
Bombs
1,500 lb (680 kg) bomb load on wing and fuselage.
Sources
Operation Pinball: The USAAF’s Secret Aerial Gunnery Program in WWII-I Hickman.
Bell P-39/P-63 Airacobra & Kingcobra, Warbird Tech 17-F A Johnsen.
Cobra! Bell Aircraft Corporation 1934-1946-M Birch.
