Bell P-59 Airacomet
Bell Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1942 · fighter
The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the United States' first jet-powered aircraft, developed in great secrecy during World War II using technology derived from British Whittle jet engines. Although it did not see combat, it was crucial in training the US to operate and maintain jet aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin jet engines buried in wing roots/fuselage sides |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First American jet aircraft, 1942
- Twin jet engines buried in wing roots/fuselage sides
- Straight mid-mounted wing, conventional WWII fighter layout
Straight-winged fighter with twin jet intakes on the fuselage sides at the wing root, a conventional cockpit and tail, and a shape that blends WWII piston fighter proportions with jet propulsion.
Specifications
- The Bell P-59 Airacomet has a length of 11.84 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.87 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 665 km/h (413 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Flown on 1 October 1942 at Muroc Dry Lake, California, the P-59 used General Electric I-A engines based on Frank Whittle's design, which the British had shared with the US. The project was highly classified and the aircraft was disguised with a dummy propeller when ground testing. The Airacomet proved underpowered and was replaced in the jet fighter role by the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, but served as an invaluable transitional type.
Variants
The XP-59A, YP-59A, and P-59A/B were the main variants; 66 aircraft total were built across all versions.
Where you'll see it
The P-59 served with the USAAF in a training role from 1944, familiarising pilots and ground crews with jet operations; it never flew combat missions.
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