P-63 Kingcobra | |
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Role | Fighter aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft |
First flight | 7 December 1942 |
Introduction | October 1943 |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | United States Army Air Forces Soviet Air Force French Air Force |
Produced | 1943–1945 |
Number built | 3,303 |
Developed from | Bell P-39 Airacobra |
Variants | Bell L-39 |
The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft that was developed by Bell Aircraft during World War II. Based on the preceding Bell P-39 Airacobra, the P-63's design incorporated suggestions from P-39 pilots and was superior to its predecessor in virtually all respects. The P-63 was not accepted for combat use by the United States Army Air Forces. However, it was used during World War II by the Soviet Air Force,[1] which had also been the most prolific user of the P-39.