Bell
P-63
King Cobra
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/26/2018
Dallas Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 10/28/2016
Dallas Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas
Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
Photo: Robert Deering 1973
Greater Southwest International Airport (GSW)
Fort Worth, Texas
Photo: Robert Deering 1981
Valley International Airport (HRL)
Harlingen, Texas
This World War II fighter was developed from the P-39 Airacobra, which it closely resembles. The Army Air Forces never used the P-63 in combat, but some were used for fighter training. Many P-63s were exported as Lend-Lease aircraft; the Soviet Union received 2,456 and Free French forces obtained 300. P-63 performance was adequate for low-level fighting, and P-63s were widely used by the Soviets for such missions as "tank busting." Bell produced 3,305 P-63s, 13 of which were E models.

The most unusual P-63 variations were the RP-63A and RP-63C "pinball" versions developed late in WWII. These manned target aircraft were fired at by aerial gunnery students using .30-cal. lead and plastic frangible machine gun bullets that disintegrated harmlessly against the target's external skin of Duralumin armor plating. Special instruments sent impulses to red lights in the nose of the "pinball" aircraft, causing them to blink when bullets struck the plane. 
SPECIFICATIONS: (P-63E) PERFORMANCE:
Span:  38 ft. 4 in. Maximum speed:  408 mph
Length:  32 ft. 8 in. Cruising speed:   280 mph
Height:  12 ft. 7 in. Range:  450 miles
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling:  43,000 ft.
Gross Weight:  9,350 lbs. maximum  
Crew:  One
Engines:  One Allison V-1710 of 1,325 hp
Armament:  One 37mm cannon and four .50-cal. machine guns
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force  
 
Photo: Robert Deering 10/26/2018
Dallas Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas
Photo: Robert Deering 10/26/2018
Dallas Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas