Bell P-63 "Kingcobra"
 Fighter/Ground Attack
The P-63 is assigned to two WHS Colonels, and is not a Squadron aircraft, but it was once based at our hangar.  It is currently undergoing restoration.
 

Click on the image above or thumbnails below for larger pictures

The P-63 "Kingcobra" was the successor to Bell Aircraft's earlier P-39 "Airacobra", and is similar in overall design.  The most notable design feature of both "Cobras" is the mid-engine layout, with the Allison V-12 engine located behind the pilot.  This leaves room in the nose for the P-63's impressive 37 mm cannon, which fires through the propeller hub.  Another unique aspect of the design are the side doors for cockpit access, more commonly found on cars than on fighter/attack aircraft. Over 3,000 P-63's were built, beginning in 1943, but most (over 2,400) went to the Soviet Union.  The Soviets made good use of the P-63's heavy armament, good low-level performance and strong construction by employing it as a close-support ground attack aircraft, and it proved to be an effective tank killer. The CAF "Kingcobra" based at WHS is a P-63F, one of only two ever built.  Compared with the most numerous model, the P-63A, the F-model featured a more powerful version of the Allison V-12 engine (1,425 HP vs. 1,325 HP) and a larger vertical tail.

Specifications (P-63A)
Engine
One Allison V-1710-93 12-cylinder piston engine rated at 1,325 HP at optimum altitude
(F model - V-1710-117 @ 1,425 HP)

Fuel capacity
Internal fuel - 100 US gal
External fuel - up to 375 US gal in a combination of flush-mounted and drop tanks

Dimensions
Wingspan 38 ft 4 in
Length 32 ft 8 in; height 12 ft 6 in
Operational weights : Empty 6,375 lb; maximum take-off 10,500 lb

Performance
Maximum level speed 'clean' 356 kt (410 mph) at 25,000 ft; 314 kt (361 mph) at sea level
Maximum range 2,236 nm (2,575 miles) with maximum external fuel; typical range 391 nm (450 mi) with one 500 lb bomb
Service ceiling 43,000 ft

Armament
Fixed : One 37 mm cannon firing through the propeller hub; two cowl-mounted .50 cal. machine guns firing through the propeller disc; two .50 machine guns in under-wing pods.
Disposable : up to 1,500 lbs of bombs or rockets carried on one centerline and two under-wing hardpoints.