Talk:Bell P-63 Kingcobra/@comment-2601:646:8F01:D716:ED86:7937:92A:942E-20171226002043

I know that Bell got a raw deal.

It designed the P-39 to be a high altitude interceptor with an undeveloped turbo. But this was not allowed. So the rest is history. It was sent to the Russian front where it became the highest scoing US made fighter of WW2! The US used it as a ground attacker.

The P-63 was not designed as a high altitude interceptor, but a ground attack plane. What did the USAAC do with it? Target towing!

Thank goodness the Russians got it into action in WW2. The 4th Guards converted to it from the P-39 in 1944 and covertly wreaked havoc on the Luftwaafe. It also was used by the VVS against Japan as officially intended.

Bell was quite an innovative fighter designer. Note the L-39 in 1946 and the P-59 jet in 1943. Can you imagine what the USAAC might have done if Bell tried dropping a J-31 jet engine in the P-39 in 1943?

Or what if the P-59 had swept wings?

In 1947 it was Bell who broke the sound barrier with the X-1 rocket plane!

So what was their next fighter design? The P-83 long range jet escort. Rejected!

Had it added an RM-3 rocket assist in the tail, the MiG-15 would've had some early competition!