Home > Bell XP-83

The early jet fighters consumed fuel at a dizzying rate, which severely limited their range and endurance. In March 1944 the USAAF requested Bell to design a fighter with increased endurance, and formally awarded a contract for two prototypes on 31 July.

Bell had been working on its "Model 40" interceptor design since 1943. It was redesigned as a long-range escort fighter, retaining the general layout of the P-59 Airacomet. The two General Electric J33 -GE-5 turbojet engines were located in each wing root, which left the large and bulky fuselage free for fuel tanks and weaponry. The fuselage was an all-metal semimonocoque, capable of carrying 1,150 US gallons (4,350 L); in addition, 2 250 US gal (950 L) drop tanks could be carried. The cabin was pressurized, and the canopy a small and low bubble type. The armament was to be six 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in the nose.

The first prototype was flown on 25 February 1945, by Bell's chief test pilot Jack Woolams , who found it to be underpowered and unstable. The second prototype flew on 19 October. Apart from range, the XP-83 was inferior to Lockheed's P-80 Shooting StarThe Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first operational jet fighter used by the United States Army Air Force. The first USAAF jet aircraft was the P-59 Airacomet. Design work began in 1943 with the design being built around a British de Havilland H1-B t, and the XP-83 project was abandoned.

The first prototype was used in 1946Events January January 4 Theodore Schurch becomes the last person to be executed for offences committed under the Treachery Act of 1940 January 7 Allied recognize Austrian republic with 1937 borders the country is divided into four occupation zones Januar as a ramjetFor the fictional method of interstellar travel, see Bussard ramjet. A ramjet is a type of jet engine designed by William Avery. Ramjets reduce engine complexity by eliminating most of the moving parts; the speed of an aircraft is enough to compress air a testbed, and on 14 September one of the ramjets caught fire - the pilot Charles Goodlin and engineer Charles Fay had to parachute out. The second XP-83 was scrapped in 1947Events January January 1 British mines nationalized January 1 Nigeria gains limited autonomy January 1 The Canadian Citizenship Act went into effect January 3 Proceedings of the United States Congress are televised for the first time. January 10 United Na.

External link

• Joe Baugher's XP-83 page
• USAF Museum page
• Warbirds Resource Group page, with picture