The Bell XP-77 was a small wooden lightweight fighter that the United States Army Air Forces asked Bell Aircraft to develop in World War II, using non-strategic materials. It began in October 1941 as a design study for a very light interceptor in the spirit of the 1930s Thompson Trophy racers, and it was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with tricycle landing gear. Weight crept past the design limit, engine delays set in and the order was cut to two prototypes. The first flew on 1 April 1944 at Wright Field. The aircraft was underpowered and hard to fly, the second prototype was lost in a spin on 2 October 1944, and the programme ended that December.
Facts
Top Speed (km/h) Maximum Mass (kg) EngineRanger V-770-7 inverted V12 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Of Make
Source Bell XP-77 (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Bell XP-77 (Wikipedia)Lead, builderQuote, Lead, builder
The Tri-4 (Company designations, later changed to D-6 ) project with the Bell Aircraft Corporation was initiated in October 1941.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Bell XP-77 (Wikipedia)Lead, countryQuote, Lead, country
The Bell XP-77 development was initiated by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II
Sources
1. Bell XP-77 (Wikipedia)
Testing, first flight
The first XP-77 flew 1 April 1944 at Wright Field
Specifications, empty weight
Empty weight: 2,855 lb (1,295 kg)
Specifications, maximum takeoff weight
Max takeoff weight: 4,028 lb (1,827 kg)
Specifications, maximum speed
Maximum speed: 330 mph (530 km/h, 290 kn)
Design and development, production run
Bell asked for and received permission to reduce the production run of aircraft to two prototypes.
Specifications, powerplant
Powerplant: 1 × Ranger V-770-7 inverted V12 engine, 520 hp (388 kW)
Specifications, engine
Powerplant: 1 × Ranger V-770-7 inverted V12 engine, 520 hp (388 kW)
Design and development, airframe
The aircraft featured a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with mainly wood construction
Lead, cancellation
the project was canceled when the XP-77 did not deliver its projected performance
Lead, builder
The Tri-4 (Company designations, later changed to D-6 ) project with the Bell Aircraft Corporation was initiated in October 1941.
Lead, country
The Bell XP-77 development was initiated by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II
Of Make: Bell Aircraft Corporation, Design and development, Bell Aircraft Corporation
The Tri-4 (Company designations, later changed to D-6 ) project with the Bell Aircraft Corporation was initiated in October 1941.
In Group: Propeller-Driven Fighters, Lead, role of the aircraft
the XP-77 was intended to be a small, light fighter much in the mold of the 1930s Thompson Trophy air racers.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.