Bell XP-77
Bell Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1944 · fighter
The Bell XP-77 was a lightweight American experimental fighter designed to use non-strategic materials — primarily wood — in response to wartime shortages, though it ultimately proved too slow and limited to compete with conventional metal fighters of the period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.96 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tiny lightweight fighter designed with minimal strategic materials — largely wood construction
- Inverted V-12 engine in an unusually small airframe for a WWII US fighter
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage on a very compact and light design
A very small, clean low-wing monoplane that stands out for its diminutive size — considerably smaller than any contemporary production US fighter — with a tricycle undercarriage unusual for the era.
Specifications
- The Bell XP-77 has a length of 6.96 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.38 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 530 km/h (329 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from 1942 to meet a USAAF requirement for a small, simple, inexpensive interceptor using non-critical materials, the XP-77 first flew in April 1944. The two prototypes were disappointing in performance and handling, and the programme was cancelled in December 1944 with no production order.
Variants
Two prototypes only; no variants or production aircraft were built.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the XP-77 was purely an experimental programme that demonstrated the limitations of lightweight wooden fighter construction for combat roles.
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- Bell XP-83
- Bell P-59 Airacomet
- Bell P-63 Kingcobra
- Bell XFL-1 Airabonita
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- Blohm & Voss BV 155
- Curtiss SC Seahawk
- Curtiss XF14C-2
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