The Bell P-59 Airacomet was a single-seat, twin jet-engine fighter aircraft that was designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II.It was the first jet produced in the United States. As the British were further along in jet engine development, they donated an engine for the United States to copy in 1941 that became the basis for the General Electric J31 jet engine used by the P-59 a. Bell P-59B Airacomet. Designed and built in great secrecy during World War II, the P-59 was America's first jet aircraft. Although it never saw combat, the Airacomet provided training for USAAF personnel and invaluable data for the development of higher performance jet airplanes. The P-59 was powered by two General Electric turbojets developed.
Bell P59B > National Museum of the US Air Force™ > Display
The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first American jet-powered airplane in the United States. It was a top secret project that wasn't announced to the general public until 1943 and only after it had completed one-hundred flights. However, even before the Airacomet made it onto the drawing board, Europe already had its own jet programs well underway. Cragie became the first American military aviator to fly a jet. (Mike Machat Illustration) Although the Bell P-59 Airacomet was the United States' first jet airplane, it had been preceded by five others—all made in Europe. There was the German Heinkel He-178, which made its first test flight on August 24, 1939. The P-59Bs were assigned to the 412th Fighter Group to familiarize AAF pilots with the handling and performance characteristics of jet aircraft. The P-59 aircraft could fly at a maximum speed of 658 kph (409 mph) at 10,640 m (35,000 ft). America's first XP-59A, AAF serial number 42-108784, is preserved at the National Air and Space Museum. March Field Air Museum's P-59A Airacomet 44-22614 was accepted from Bell Aircraft on September 25, 1944 and was assigned to the 412th Fighter Group, located at Muroc Army Air Field. In November of 1945, the aircraft was transferred to March Field where five months later it was removed from service. First used as an instructional airframe at a.
Bell P59B > National Museum of the United States Air Force™ > Display
The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first U.S. jet-propelled fighter. Although it flew in World War II, the P-59 was not flown in combat as were early British and German jet fighter aircraft. U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive. The P-59s were useful as test vehicles and jet trainers. A few later were modified as drone controllers, with a second. The Bell P-59 Airacomet made her maiden flight - in the XP-59A prototype iteration - on October 2, 1942, with chief test pilot Robert M. Stanley (1912-1977) at the controls. Bell P-59 Airacomet. The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first USA jet fighter aircraft built during World War II. The performance was not spectacular, but it did establish a new unofficial altitude record of 47,600 feet. Unsuitable as a fighter, it was relegated to the training role and paved the way for the first American operational jet fighter. Subscribe to Dark Skies: https://bit.ly/dark5skiesWith World War 2 underway in 1939, the United States Army Air Corps began fielding reports from Germany and.
Bell P59A USA Air Force Aviation Photo 1020120
The order for Bell to cease production on their P-59 was handed down on October 10th, 1944 - which would have resulted in just 39 production aircraft. Bell pushed for, and won, an argument to continue production into the 50th example resulting in batches of twenty P-59A models and thirty P-59B models being completed before August of 1945. P-59 Airacomet. The introduction of jet power in the P-59 represented a paradigm shift in propulsion technology. The absence of a propeller and the remarkable concept of thrust generated by expelling a high-speed jet of gases astounded many. The Airacomet was powered initially by a single General Electric I-A engine, an American-built version.
The P-59 Airacomet, however, was never going to end up in the hands of the USSR. Its existence was a closely guarded secret, one that only the British knew about, because they lent the U.S. their. U.S.A.A.F. RESOURCE CENTER > FIGHTERS > PREVIOUS PAGE. BELL P-59 AIRACOMET. The Airacomet was developed around the British Whittle Engine, Americanized and manufactured by General Electric (initial I-A produced 1,100 lbs. (500 kg) of thrust). Flight developement went smoothly and deliveries of 12 YP-59As for service trials were delivered in 1944.
Bell P59A USA Air Force Aviation Photo 2150788
Bell P-59 Airacomet. The Airacomet was the first American-designed and built turbojet fighter. It first flew in prototype form on 1 October 1942. One later aircraft was subsequently exchanged for a British Gloster Meteor I fighter so that comparisons could be made between the types. Indeed the Airacomet's engines were developed from the British. The Bell P-59 Airacomet has a unique place in U.S. aviation history as America's first jet fighter, although it never saw combat. The P-59 took its maiden flight on October 1, 1942. It was the fruition of a project that initiated when General Henry "Hap" Arnold, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air, visited Great Britain in April 1941 for a.
