Airplane: Bell P59 Airacomet Type: single-seat hunter Technical data: Engine: two General Electric J31GE5 of jet engines Achievement: 658 kmh, service ceiling of 14080m, operation radius 320 km Weight: Unloaded weight 3700kg, takeoff weight 6200kg Dimension: Span 13,87m, length 11,63m, height of 3,66m Weapons: a 37mm cannon, three 12,7mm of machine guns, Pylone for versch. Bombs Picture: Bell P59 Airacomet
The P-59 was the first US jet aircraft. Developed in secrecy, its genesis came at the personal direction of Gen. "Hap" Arnold. Bell Aircraft was chosen for the project in part because of its location near the General Electric engine plants in New York and Massachusetts. Aircraft flew almost exactly a year after development began. To ensure secrecy, the XP-59 was fitted with a dummy propeller whenever it was towed on the ground. Col. Laurence C. "Bill" Craigie became the first USAAF pilot to fly a jet when he made the type's "official" first flight on October 2, 1942. First jet flight made by a USN aviator came on April 21, 1943, when Capt. Frederick M. Trapnell flew the XP-59 at Muroc AAF, Calif. The 412th Fighter Group became the first USAAF jet fighter unit when it was formed in 1943 and stationed at Bakersfield, Calif., and then later at March Field, Calif. This unit primarily served as a jet pilot training unit. The P-59 was never a great performer and was quickly overtaken by development of other jet aircraft, mainly the P-80 Shooting Star. Only in operational service for about a year, the type was phased out of service by 1949.
The P-59 was the first US jet aircraft. Developed in secrecy, its genesis came at the personal direction of Gen. "Hap" Arnold. Bell Aircraft was chosen for the project in part because of its location near the General Electric engine plants in New York and Massachusetts. Aircraft flew almost exactly a year after development began. To ensure secrecy, the XP-59 was fitted with a dummy propeller whenever it was towed on the ground. Col. Laurence C. "Bill" Craigie became the first USAAF pilot to fly a jet when he made the type's "official" first flight on October 2, 1942. First jet flight made by a USN aviator came on April 21, 1943, when Capt. Frederick M. Trapnell flew the XP-59 at Muroc AAF, Calif. The 412th Fighter Group became the first USAAF jet fighter unit when it was formed in 1943 and stationed at Bakersfield, Calif., and then later at March Field, Calif. This unit primarily served as a jet pilot training unit. The P-59 was never a great performer and was quickly overtaken by development of other jet aircraft, mainly the P-80 Shooting Star. Only in operational service for about a year, the type was phased out of service by 1949.
1 comment:
Frederick M. Trapnell was my grandfather and is the subject of a book to be released by the Naval Institute Press in April 2015. 'Harnessing the Sky: Frederick "Trap" Trapnell, the U.S. Navy's Aviation Pioneer' is a compelling life story of a man who is considered "the godfather of modern naval aviation." Dana Trapnell Tibbitts
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