The Bell XFL-1 Airabonita, a prototype fighter aircraft, was developed by the Bell Aircraft Corporation in the 1930s.
Designed as a high-performance fighter capable of bearing a substantial armament, the Airabonita featured a single-engine, single-seat configuration with a semi-monocoque fuselage and retractable landing gear.
It was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-64 radial engine delivering 1,200 horsepower.
The armament comprised four .50 calibre machine guns in the wings and two 20mm cannons in the nose, along with the capacity to carry bombs or a torpedo.
Despite its initial flight in May 1940, the Airabonita faced testing challenges, including stability issues and handling difficulties, leading to multiple accidents.
Its performance fell short of expectations and was surpassed by other fighters of the era, resulting in the cancellation of the project after just one prototype was constructed.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
28 ft 8 in (8.74 m)
Wingspan
35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
Height
12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
Wing area
203 sq ft (18.9 m2)
Empty weight
5,562 lb (2,520 kg)
Gross weight
8,138 lb (3,690 kg)
Max take-off weight
8,836 lb (4,006 kg)
Powerplant
1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-64 Twin Wasp radial engine,
1,200 hp (890 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed
365 mph (587 km/h, 317 kn)
Cruise speed
285 mph (459 km/h, 248 kn)
Range
800 mi (1,300 km, 700 nmi)
Service ceiling
32,000 ft (9,800 m)
Rate of climb
2,940 ft/min (14.9 m/s)
Wing loading
40.1 lb/sq ft (196 kg/m2)
Power/mass
0.15 hp/lb (0.24 kW/kg)
Armament
Guns
4 x .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns
&
2 x 20mm cannon
Bombs
Up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) or 1 x torpedo
Please be aware that the specifications provided are for the prototype version of the aircraft and may not represent any modifications that could have been implemented during its testing or development phase.
Sources
U.S. Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects: Fighters 1939–1945-B Norton.
The American Fighter from 1917 to the present – E Angelucci.
