1/72 AA2054 Anigrand Bell XP-83
Resin Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
Very highly detailed resin kit. Still internally sealed. Complete with decals and instructions. In 1942, Bell designed the first U.S. jet fighter, the P-59. Due to the small fuel capacity and a very fuel-hungry engine, it lacked a good operational range and could only serve as a training aircraft. In 1943, USAAF issued a requirement for a long range fighter with sufficient range to escort bombers over very long distance. Convair's XP-81 and North American's XP-82 were submitted to the program. Because they preferred a pure jet fighter, the USAAF also asked Bell to submit a design based on it's P-59 experience. In July 1944, Bell submitted Model 40 and the Air Force ordered two prototypes, designated XP-83. Only seven months later, the first XP-83 made its first flight in February 1945. However, the aircraft was under-powered and unstable. With the end of the war, the need for a long-range fighter had eliminated so the XP-83 project was abandoned. The first XP-83 was used in ramjet test until it crashed in September 1946. The second XP-83 was used in gunnery test until scrapped in 1947.
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