The Bell P-59 Airacomet was a single-seat, twin-engined jet fighter designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II, and the first jet aircraft produced in the United States. The United States received a Power Jets engine from Britain in 1941, which General Electric copied as the J31 that powered the P-59. Bell flew the first prototype at Muroc in October 1942 and built 18 prototype and test aircraft before 50 production machines followed. The aircraft was underpowered, so the Army Air Forces judged it unsuited to combat and used the production aircraft as trainers, while the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star became the first operational American jet fighter. The Airacomet gave American pilots and engineers their first practical experience of jet flight.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) Maximum Mass (kg) EngineTwo General Electric J31 turbojets 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Of Make
Source Bell P-59 Airacomet (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Bell P-59 Airacomet (Wikipedia)
Design and development, first flight
It was shipped to Muroc Army Air Field (today, Edwards Air Force Base) in California on 12 September 1942 by train for flight testing. The aircraft first became airborne during high-speed taxiing tests on 1 October with Bell test pilot Robert Stanley at the controls, although the first official flight was made by Colonel Laurence Craigie the next day.
Specifications, empty weight
Empty weight: 8,165 lb (3,704 kg)
Specifications, maximum takeoff weight
Max takeoff weight: 13,700 lb (6,214 kg)
Specifications, maximum speed
Maximum speed: 413 mph (665 km/h, 359 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
Operational service, production total
Bell eventually completed 50 production Airacomets, 20 P-59As and 30 P-59Bs
Design and development, engines
The two General Electric J31 turbojets were positioned under the wing roots in streamlined nacelles.
Design and development, engine type
The two General Electric J31 turbojets were positioned under the wing roots in streamlined nacelles.
Lead, aircraft description
The Bell P-59 Airacomet is a single-seat, twin jet-engined, fighter aircraft that was designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II.
Lead, production outcome
using the 50 completed production aircraft as trainers
Lead, builder
The Bell P-59 Airacomet is a single-seat, twin jet-engined, fighter aircraft that was designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II.
Lead, country
It was the first jet produced in the United States.
Of Make: Bell Aircraft Corporation, Design and development, Bell Aircraft
On the following day, he approached Lawrence Dale Bell, head of Bell Aircraft Corporation, to build a fighter to use it.
In Group: Jet Fighters and Interceptors, Lead, role of the aircraft
The Bell P-59 Airacomet is a single-seat, twin jet-engined, fighter aircraft
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