The Bell P-59 Airacomet is a single-seat, twin jet -engine fighter aircraft that was designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II. It was the first jet produced in the United States.

Introduced during Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy" as a reward for the 2019 Operation H.E.A.T event, the P-59A finds itself in a unique position as a jet fighter sitting at rank IV, though just having turbojets compared to opponents at its battle rating sporting propellers will not give it the sole advantage. Several turbo-props will be able to keep ...

Although its performance was unsatisfactory, the P-59 provided a glimpse into the future. The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first American jet-powered airplane in the United States. It was a top secret project that wasn't announced to the general public until 1943 and only after it had completed one-hundred flights.

Of the 66 P-59As manufactured, Planes of Fame Air Museum's YP-59A was the seventh production model, which was used in early experimental testing and now is the oldest surviving Airacomet. When restored to flight, it will be the only flyable P-59 in the world.

Sep 21, 2015 · The Bell P-59A was a fighter aircraft built in the United States during World War II. The prototype XP-59A became the first jet-powered aircraft to fly in the US on 1 October 1942. The USAAF was not impressed by its performance and cancelled the contract when fewer than half of the aircraft ordered had been produced.

The result of a top-secret project begun before the start of the Second World War, the single-seat Bell P-59A was the United States first jet fighter. Designed around a modified British ‘Whittle’ engine, the P-59 series aircraft were constructed by Bell …

2 days ago · The Bell P-59 Airacomet was a twin jet engined fighter aircraft, the first for the USA, designed and built by Bell Aircraft during World War II. The United States Army Air Force was not impressed by its performance and cancelled the contract when fewer than half of the aircraft ordered had been produced.

Apr 5, 2025 · The XP-59A was 39 feet long, stood 12 feet tall, and had a 49 foot wing span. The plane weighed 7320 pounds empty, and 12,562 pounds fully loaded. That was a considerable weight compared to the 1,400 pounds of thrust produced by each of the jet engines. The XP-59A first flew on October 1, 1942 at Edwards Air Force Base (then called Muroc Dry Lake).

Jan 11, 2013 · America’s first jet fighter was a single-seat midwing monoplane powered by two I-A engines of 1,400 pounds/thrust each. A top speed of 404 mph at 25,000 feet was demonstrated, disappointing given that later P-47s and P-51s could easily best it by 20–30 mph.

P-59A. The Bell P-59 holds the unique distinction of being the first turbojet powered airplane to be built and flown in the United States. First flown in October of 1942 it was preceded by only four other jet aircraft: the Heinkel He 178 in August of 1939, the He 280 in April of 1941, the Gloster G.40 in May of 1941 and the Me 262 in June of 1941.