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. Only in operational service for about a
year, the type was phased out of service by 1949.
| Contractors: |
Bell Aircraft Corp. |
| Locations Built: |
Buffalo, N. Y. |
| Number Built: (USAF) |
66 (66) |
| First Flight: |
October 1, 1942 |
| First Flight Model: |
XP-59A |
| First Flight Location: |
Rogers Dry Lake, Calif. |
| First Flight Pilot: |
Robert Stanley |
| Models/Variants: |
P-59A, B |
| Powerplant: |
Two General Electric I-16
turbojets of 1,600 lb thrust each. (P-59B: two
General Electric J31-GE-5 turbojets of 2,000 lb
thrust each) |
| Wingspan: |
45 ft 6 in. |
| Length: |
38 ft 10 in. |
| Height: |
12 ft 0 in. |
| Weight: |
13,700 lb gross |
| Armament: |
One 37-mm cannon and three
.50-cal machine guns |
| Accommodation: |
Pilot only |
| Cost: |
Unconfirmed |
| Max. Speed: |
413 mph |
| Range: |
Approx 400 mi. |
| Ceiling: |
46,200 ft. |
|
