Bell XP-59 Airacomet
The XP59 Airaceomet marked the entry of the USA into the Jet Age, the project launched by USAF Major General Henry (Hap), Arnold on the 5th September 1941 began when he approached Bell Aircraft and asked them to build a new fighter based around the GE-1 a license made Whittle W2/B engine. The contract was signed on the 30th September with a deadline of eight months to produce the first of three prototypes designated XP-59A's.
The Bell designers adopted a conventional approach which resulted in a preliminary design in just two months. This was approved and construction of the first prototype started which was shipped to Muroc Dry Lake (Now Edwards Air Force base) on the 12th September 1942 for ground tests. The engines called GE-1's were built at the same time by General Electric and had an initial thrust of 1,250 lbs. This meant that like the Meteor two engines were required although in the airacomet these were mounted side by side in the fuselage rather than in wing nacelles. The airacomet was first flown on the 1st October 1942 by Bob Stanley, chief test pilot for Bell aircraft although the official first flight was recorded as the 2nd of October. The airacomet was one of the best kept secrets of the war and it was only announced to the public in 1943.
Bell P-59A
Even before the first XP-59A was complete the USAAF ordered 13 YP-59 pre-production aircraft, followed by 13 YP-59A service test aircraft. These and later P-59A production aircraft were powered by I-14 and I-16 engines, improved versions of the original GE-1A although this did not significantly improve performance which remained marginally less than the current generation of piston engined fighters. The last three YP-59A's carried armament, One YP-59 (42-22611) was shipped to the UK in late 1943 in exchange for Meteor MkI EE210 although it is not certain if it ever flew in England.
The USAAF originally ordered 100 P-59s although the contract was cancelled in October 1943 when it became obvious that the aircraft had limited development potential. The first twenty of P-59 built were designated P-59A's the last 30 P-59B's which had increased fuel capacity. The P-59 never entered squadron service with the completed aircraft serving as test aircraft and in a training role mainly with the 412th fighter group of the Fourth Air Force, three P-59B's saw service with the US Navy.
Bell P-59A
Survivors
XP-59A, 42-108784 is on display at the NASM, Washington
YP-59A, 42-108777 Planes of Fame Museum, Chino (under restoration to airworthiness)
P-59A-1-BE, 44-22614 March AFB, California
P-59B-1-BE, 44-22656 Harold Warp Pioneer Village Museum, Minden, Nebraska
P-59B-1-BE, 44-22633 Edwards AFB, California
P-59B-1-BE, 44-22650 Wright-Patterson USAF Museum, Ohio
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Bell XP-59 Airacomet Span: Length: Height: Powerplant: Maximum speed: Weight: Armament: Range: |
45ft 6in (13.87m) 38ft 2in (11.63 m) 12ft 4in (3.76 m) Two General Electric I-A's (each 1,250lb (567kg) thrust) 404 mph Empty 7,320lb (3,320 kg), Loaded 12,562lb (5,698 kg) 2x 37mm cannons 400 miles |
Modelling the P59
Two kits have been seen of the P-59 recently in E-Bay auctions. The first is a 1:72nd scale kit by Special Hobby of the P-59 A/B production models. The second is a resin kit by Anigrand of the YP-59 service test prototype, again the kit is in 1:72nd scale. If you have built or seen either of these kits please let us know some more details or send us a review.