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Yep - and that's where they sought out a post war niche that, as we know, became highly successful. Unfortunately that business sector was eventually broken off and probably did nothing to support any R&D funding for fixed wing combat aircraft development.Bell actually went in the right direction during the war, with their Model 30 helicopter.
It had bugs, but by the third prototype, they had the enough experience and data, that Model 30 #3 became the base for their highly successful Model 47.
That was the demise of the P-59A: Bell was given vague data regarding the engine, basically just enough to make it fit, but no critical data such as thrust-to-weight ratio or dry weight, which would have allowed for airframe weight calculation and related adjustments.Based solely on anecdotal evidence, I think Bell got a bad rap with the P-59. As I understand it, Bell got the order for the plane without having enough information on the engine.
Joking aside, Bell had the most experience building aircraft with a mid engine layout.
Bell was given vague data regarding the engine, basically just enough to make it fit, but no critical data such as thrust-to-weight ratio or dry weight
I haven't seen any detailed information on the discussion between Bell and the Army, Tomo.Dave - do we have a good source about what data was Bell supplied with, and when?
I thought that was a government owned B-29 plant with Bell acting as a hostilities-only management contractor, and Lockheed buying the mothballed factory from the DoD years after Bell got their Dear John from Uncle Sam.They sold off their huge facility in Marietta Georgia to Lockheed
You are correct! Lockheed took control of the plant during the early 50s where they were refurbishing B-29s. Later they built B-47s there.I thought that was a government owned B-29 plant with Bell acting as a hostilities-only management contractor, and Lockheed buying the mothballed factory from the DoD years after Bell got their Dear John from Uncle Sam.
Or have I got my mammoth defense plants mixed up again? The US built so many of the damn things i can't keep them straight.
Helicopters.The P-39 is accepted by the USAAC as it was historically so; no turbo. What should the Bell company be designing and, hopefully, produce next? All while using the engines and aerodynamics of the day.
Hints: P-63 was meh, the P-59 was a dog, X-5 was more of an experiment than a workable military aircraft. Time frame is 1941-1955.
Note: thread is not about the P-39.
Absolutely nothing with fixed wings.The P-39 is accepted by the USAAC as it was historically so; no turbo. What should the Bell company be designing and, hopefully, produce next? All while using the engines and aerodynamics of the day.
Hints: P-63 was meh, the P-59 was a dog, X-5 was more of an experiment than a workable military aircraft. Time frame is 1941-1955.
Note: thread is not about the P-39.