Background
Designed and built by Bell Aircraft Corporation as a fighter developed from the P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct deficiencies in that model. Although the aircraft was not accepted for combat use by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), it was sent as lend-lease to the Soviet Union and used by the Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily (VSS).
Production Over two thirds of Kingcobra
production, some 2,400 aircraft were ferried from Alaska to Russia over the
ALSIB (Alaska-Siberia) route.
Technical Details Crew One (Pilot) Engine 1x Allison V-1710-117 liquid-cooled V-12, 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) Span 38 ft 4 in Length 32 ft 8 in Height 12 ft 7 in Maximum Speed 410 mph at 25,000' Range 450 miles Armament (nose & wings) 4 x 50 caliber machine guns (propeller hub) 37mm cannon External 1,500 lb in bombs or drop tank
