Bell XP-83

The Bell XP -83 was a fighter aircraft with jet propulsion of Bell Aircraft, which flew for the first time in 1945, but has not been developed to the prototype status further out.

History

The early jet aircraft were distinguished by high fuel consumption and low range. In March 1944, the USAAF placed at Bell needs a request for a jet fighter with greater range. On 31 July 1944, a contract for the supply of two prototypes was signed.

Bell had been working since 1943 to the design of its Model 40, a long-range escort fighter based on the Bell P -59 Airacomet.

The XP -83 had two General Electric J33 -GE- 5 turbojet engines that were positioned under the Trägflächen close to the fuselage. Thus, under the wings were additional fuel tanks and weapons are mounted. The aircraft could carry 4350 liters of fuel in the fuselage and droppable 950 liters in the tank. The cabin pressure was vented and the cockpit glazing kept relatively small. As armament served six 12.7 mm machine guns in the nose of the aircraft.

The first flight took place on 25 February 1945 Bells chief pilot Jack Woolams. This was that the aircraft was underpowered and unstable. The second prototype flew on 19 October 1945. Apart from reach, the XP -83 was the Lockheed P-80 far inferior and the project was canceled.

The first prototype was used in 1946 as a test bed for ramjet engines. On September 14, 1946 began one of the ramjet engines fire and the test pilot Chalmers Goodlin and his engineer Charles Fay had to save with the parachute. The second prototype was scrapped in 1947.

Specifications

113947
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