Bell P-63 Kingcobra

P-63 Kingcobra
General information
Type	Fighter aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Bell Aircraft
Status	Retired
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces Soviet Air Force French Air Force
Number built	3,303
History
Manufactured	1943–1945
Introduction date	October 1943
First flight	7 December 1942
Developed from	Bell P-39 Airacobra
Variants	Bell L-39

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft that was developed by Bell Aircraft during World War II. Based on the preceding Bell P-39 Airacobra, the P-63's design incorporated suggestions from P-39 pilots and was superior to its predecessor in virtually all respects. The P-63 was not accepted for combat use by the United States Army Air Forces. However, it was used during World War II by the Soviet Air Force,^[1] which had also been the most prolific user of the P-39.