Bell P-63 Kingcobra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids P-63 Kingcobra
Role	Fighter aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Bell Aircraft
First flight	7 December 1942
Introduction	October 1943
Status	Retired
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces Soviet Air Force French Air Force
Produced	1943–1945
Number built	3,303
Unit cost	US$65,914 (1945)
Developed from	Bell P-39 Airacobra

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was a powerful fighter aircraft built in the United States during World War II. It was an updated version of the P-39 Airacobra. While the United States and the United Kingdom did not use it widely, it became a key aircraft for the Soviet Union and the French Air Force. Some Kingcobras were also used by Honduras after the war. More than 3,300 of these planes were made between 1943 and 1945.

What is the P-63 Kingcobra?

The P-63 Kingcobra was a single-engine plane designed for combat. It was made by a company called Bell Aircraft. The plane was built to be faster and stronger than its older brother, the P-39. It had a unique design with its engine placed behind the pilot. This allowed for a large cannon to be fitted in the nose.

Why was it built?

Bell Aircraft wanted to improve on the P-39 Airacobra. The P-39 had some issues, especially at higher altitudes. The P-63 was designed to fix these problems. It had a more powerful engine and a new wing shape. These changes helped it fly better and faster. The goal was to create a top-notch fighter plane for the war.

Who used the Kingcobra?

Even though it was an American plane, the P-63 was mostly used by other countries.

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was the biggest user of the Kingcobra. They received most of the planes built. Soviet pilots used the P-63 for many different missions. It was used for fighting other planes and for attacking targets on the ground. They found it to be a strong and reliable aircraft.

France

The French Air Force also used the Kingcobra. They received planes after the war ended. These aircraft helped rebuild the French air force. They were used for training and other duties.

United States

The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) did not use the P-63 for combat. Instead, they used some of them as target practice planes. These special versions were called RP-63 "Pinball" aircraft. They were armored so that pilots could shoot at them with special frangible (breakable) bullets. This helped train gunners without damaging the planes too much.

Design and Features

The Kingcobra looked a lot like the P-39. However, it was larger and had many improvements.

• Engine: It used a powerful Allison V-1710 engine. This engine gave it good speed and climbing ability.
• Propeller: The plane had a four-bladed propeller. This helped it use the engine's power efficiently.
• Armament: The P-63 usually had a 37mm cannon firing through the propeller hub. It also had machine guns in the wings or nose. This made it a strong plane for attacking.
• Landing Gear: It had a tricycle landing gear. This meant it had a nose wheel and two main wheels. This made taking off and landing easier.

Legacy

The P-63 Kingcobra was an important aircraft during World War II. It showed how planes could be improved over time. Even though it wasn't famous in its home country, it played a big role for its users. Today, a few Kingcobras are still around in museums. They remind us of the clever engineering from that time.

Images for kids

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  Bell assembly line near Niagara Falls, New York

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  First production P-59A with a P-63 behind.

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  L-39 with swept wings, extended rear fuselage, ventral tail fin and P-39 prop

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  USAAF P-63A USAF photo

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  Bell RP-63C racer Tipsy Miss wearing No. 28 at Oshkosh Wisconsin in 1974.

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  P-63 with underwing gun pods

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  L-39-2 with swept wings and four-bladed prop.

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  RP-63C (ex-"Pinball") Kingcobra in French Air Force markings at the Commemorative Air Force museum at Harlingen Texas in 1975

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  Bell P-63 King Cobra (identifiable as such by its vertical tail and four-bladed propeller) on display in Victory Park, Moscow, June 2004.

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  P-63C of the Armée de l'Air

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  P-63E-1BE 43-11728 "Pinball" of the Air Force Museum

See also

In Spanish: Bell P-63 Kingcobra para niños