Bell

Bell Airacobra I

Fighter

Used temporarily from ships / carriers (1945): First tri-gear landing, on HMS Pretoria Castle

  • First flight6 April 1938
  • Introduction1941
  • StatusRetired
  • Number built9,588

History

Used temporarily from ships / carriers (1945): First tri-gear landing, on HMS Pretoria Castle

Technical data

Specifications

01

Crew & dimensions

Crew
One
Length
30 ft 2 in
Wingspan
34 ft
Height
12 ft 5 in
02

Performance

Maximum speed
389 mph
Range
525 mi
Service ceiling
35,000 ft
03

Powerplant

Powerplant
1 × Allison V-1710-85 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine (1,200 hp)
04

Armament

Armament
Guns: :* 1 × 37 mm M4 cannon firing through the propeller hub (compare engine gun), :* 2 ×.50 caliber synchronized Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted, :* 2 ×.50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns on each wing; Bombs: Up to 500 lb of bombs under wings and belly