




                              Bell P-59A Airacomet
                                 by Glenn Price
                                 GekkoSoft 1993





                In June 1941, the US government and General "Hap" Arnold of
the Army Air Corps were told of Britain's development of the turbojet engine.
On 5 September 1941 Bell Aircraft was requested to design a jet fighter and
in the following month a Whittle turbojet, complete engineering drawings and 
a team from Power Jets Ltd. arrived from Britain to hasten proceedings. The
result was that Bell flew the first American jet in one year from the start
of work. The Whittle-type centrifugal engines, Americanised and made by 
General Electric as the 1,100 lb (500 kg) thrust I-A, were installed under 
the wing roots, close to the centerline and easily accessible (two were 
needed to fly an aircraft of normal size). Flight development went extremely
smoothly, and 12 YP-59As for service trials were delivered in 1944. Total 
procurement amounted to 66 only, including three XFsL-1s for the US Navy, and
the P-59A was classed as a fighter-trainer because it was clear it would not
make an effective front-line fighter. But in comparison with the British 
E.28/39, it was a remarkable achievement, being very similar to that attained
with the early Meteors.





                This aircraft has been extensively researched. You should 
find it accurate. The flight characteristics are below average with the roll 
and pitch rates fair. The acceleration rate is fair, and the max. speed at
height is 417 MPH. The range is about 500 miles with drop tanks. This 
aircraft makes a poor fighter, with its guns being its only good aspect. 
Also, this aircraft has a tendency to explode after a few hits, due to the 
delicate engines. Despite all of this, in the hands of a good pilot, it should 
prove deadly. 


Specifications

Designation:     P-59A Airacomet
Type:            Single-seat fighter/trainer
Engines:         Two 2,000 lb (907 kg) thrust General Electric 
                 J31-GE-3 turbojets
Dimensions:      Span 45 ft 6 in; length 38 ft 2 in; height 12 ft
Weights:         Empty 7,950 lb (3610 kg); loaded 12,700 lb (5760 kg)
Performance:     Maximum speed, clean at height 417 MPH; maximum range with 
                 drop tanks about 500 miles
Armament:        Two M-2 50 caliber in nose, each with 500 rounds, one 37mm         
                 cannon in nose, with 250 rounds; either two drop 
                 tanks or two bombs on wing rack
History:         First flight (XP-59A) 1 October 1942; (production P-59A) 
                 7 August 1944


