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P-83 / F-83

The inadequate characteristics of the first American jet fighter - the Bell P-59 - were evident even before the first prototypes. Of course, this was the first experience and waiting for outstanding results from the P-59 is not worth it, but the leadership USAAF was counting on that. Well aware of the work being done in the UK, where in 1943 the program began construction of interceptor Gloster "Meteor", the US Army would like to get at least similar in performance characteristics of the aircraft.

The test results of P-59, in turn, suggests otherwise. With two engines and a large mass of fuel, the fighter turned out to be overweight and, consequently, was not easy to manage and too sluggish to maneuver. Moreover, on the basic parameters (speed, distance-ceiling) he conceded serial piston-engined fighters. So it was not possible to use the F-59 for its intended purpose was not possible, and it was relegated to the role of training and experimental aircraft.

On the other hand, more promising jet machines could not appear in large numbers before 1945. In this situation the USAAF ordered the development by Bell of an improved modification of the P-59, which in the first place ought to increase the range. The new fighter was designated XP-83, and a contract to build two prototypes was signed on March 29, 1944.

The base design remained thatof the P-59, with some modifications relating to the installation of new engines and increased up to 1500 gallons of volume of internal fuel tanks (two more 250-gallon drop tanks can be suspended under the wing). Standard armament included six 12.7 mm machine guns with 300 rounds ammunition, but considering installing four 20-mm or 37-mm guns. One of the projects generally include a battery of 20 (!) Guns caliber 20 mm, but remained on paper.

An additional contract on July 21, 1944 confirmed the construction of two prototypes with serial numbers 44-84990 and 44-84991. The first of them was ready to eight months and 28 February 1945 it was first raised in the air the pilot of Bell James Vulems. It turned out that improvements to thewere inadequate. The fighter was still heavy in maneuvers, languidly picked up speed, and had a mediocre takeoff and landing characteristics.

In addition, due to the close proximity of the fire engine was threatened in the rear, so the airport is constantly on duty a few fire trucks. The second prototype, had an elongated nose section of the fuselage for adjustment of six 15.2 mm machine guns T17E3. Most time was spent at the site in Wright Field, where the system weapons was tested.

Meanwhile, experts of Bell held a number of improvements that improved flight characteristics, but all other data remain unchanged. They tried to raise the maximum speed by installing two rocket boosters. In order to accurately determine the speed indicators in the rear cabin equipped for an engineer, but the measure was temporary and to give it up.

Now it became clear that the scheme of the P-59 itself was completely outdated, but tests continued. In one of the next flights of September 14, 1946 the first prototype XP-83 caught fire and Chalmers Gudlinu pilot and engineer Charles Fay had to escape by parachute. The second prototype, conducted a little more time in the air until 1947, and was sent to be scrapped.