Aircraft Lovers Group
Hobbies & Interests
This group is open to everyone who likes any kind of aircraft
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The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first American jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II. The United States Army Air Force was not impressed by its performance and cancelled the contract when fewer than half of the aircraft ordered had been produced. Although no P-59s went into combat, it paved the way for another design generation of U.S. turbojet-powered aircraft and was the first turbojet fighter to have its turbojet engine and air inlet nacelles integrated within the main fuselage.
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Bell Aircraft
First flight 1 October 1942
Primary users United States Army Air Forces
United States Navy
Royal Air Force
Number built 66
Data from The American Fighter[13]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Wingspan: 45 ft 6 in (13.87 m)
Height: 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Wing area: 386 sq ft (35.86 m²)
Empty weight: 8,165 lb (3,704 kg)
Loaded weight: 11,040 lb (5,008 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 13,700 lb (6,214 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J31-GE-5 turbojets, 2,000 lbf (8.9 kN) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 413 mph (359 knots, 665 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,140 m)
Cruise speed: 375 mph (326 knots, 604 km/h)
Range: 375 mi (326 knots, 604 km)
Service ceiling: 46,200 ft (14,080 m)
Climb to 30,000 ft (9,140 m): 15 min 30 s
Armament
Guns:
1x 37 mm cannon
3x .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns
Rockets: 8× 60 lb (30 kg) rockets
Bombs: 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs