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.

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.

Designed and built in great secrecy during World War II, the P-59 was America's first jet aircraft. Although it never saw combat, the Airacomet provided training for USAAF personnel and invaluable data for the development of higher performance jet airplanes.

The P-59 was the first jet-powered aircraft in the U.S. Jet engine development had been proceeding in Germany since the mid-1930s. The Allies recognized that they needed to catch up quickly in this important technology.

Mar 7, 2022 · Although the Bell P-59 Airacomet was the United States’ first jet airplane, it had been preceded by five others—all made in Europe. There was the German Heinkel He-178, which made its first test flight on August 24, 1939.

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.

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 …

May 31, 2024 · The Bell P-59 "Airacobra" became the first viable military jet-powered aircraft for the United States when it took to the skies in October of 1942.

The Bell XP-59A Airacomet was America's first jet aircraft. For that reason alone, the aircraft is of historic significance. Although it never fired a shot in anger during World War II, it was nevertheless important in that it provided a lot of important data on the care and maintenance of jet aircraft, which proved invaluable when more ...

2 days ago · The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first jet fighter produced by the United States, rushed into development after witnessing Britain’s secret jet technology. Equipped with twin General Electric ...