Bell
P-59
Airacomet
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Photo: Robert Deering 1985
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
Development of the P-59, America's first jet-propelled airplane, was ordered personally by General H.H. Arnold on Sept. 4, 1941. The project was conducted under the utmost secrecy, with Bell building the airplane and General Electric the engine. The first P-59 was completed in mid-1942 and on Oct. 1, 1942, it made its initial flight at Muroc Dry Lake (now Edwards Air Force Base), Calif. One year later, the airplane was ordered into production, to be powered by I-14 and I-16 engines, improved versions of the original I-A.

Bell produced 66 P-59s. Although the airplane's performance was not spectacular and it never made it into combat, the P-59 provided training for AAF personnel and invaluable data for subsequent development of higher performance jet airplanes.
SPECIFICATIONS: (P-59B) PERFORMANCE:
Span:  45 ft. 6 in. Maximum speed: 
Length:  38 ft. 10 in. Cruising speed: 
Height:   11 ft. 11 3/4 in. Range: 
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling: 
Gross Weight:  10,532 lbs. loaded  
Crew: 
Engines:  Two General Electric I-16s of 1,650 lbs. thrust each
Armament:   One 37mm cannon and three .50-cal machine guns
   
SOURCE:  National Musume of the United States Air Force  

Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio