02.12.2008, 00:21
I've got a great book by I dunno, some NACA test pilot about the history of NACA and test piloting in general. Of course the Airacomet is featured (as is the P-80, did you know early engines had a habit of cutting the airframe in half when the turbine impellers let go...).
The Airacomet is a pivotal design, but it was never really intended for front line service (although Bell was hopeful for profits), as much as a development and conversion type. Those ordered were essentially used for jet conversion, by pilots who would fly the first operational US jet fighter, the P-80.
It is interesting to have one in IL2 certainly, but there was no way historically it was going to enter service.
wrt its performance, which was indeed marginal as a front line combat model, the engines were very low thrust (which like the Meteor and Me-262 necessitated a twin engine layout), but flying with the jet equivalent of a six cylinder development motor it instantly matched the performance of the best fighters in the world. This and the fact that early demonstrations were run with one engine (due to the unserviceability of the second), was the reason it impressed all who saw it. It was well understood the first jet fighter to actually enter service would be a far greater performer, if this hack was already as good as the best. The Airacomet was indeed the aircraft which initially served notice on all piston engine fighter development in the US.
Significant, but not a combat aircraft per se.
The Airacomet is a pivotal design, but it was never really intended for front line service (although Bell was hopeful for profits), as much as a development and conversion type. Those ordered were essentially used for jet conversion, by pilots who would fly the first operational US jet fighter, the P-80.
It is interesting to have one in IL2 certainly, but there was no way historically it was going to enter service.
wrt its performance, which was indeed marginal as a front line combat model, the engines were very low thrust (which like the Meteor and Me-262 necessitated a twin engine layout), but flying with the jet equivalent of a six cylinder development motor it instantly matched the performance of the best fighters in the world. This and the fact that early demonstrations were run with one engine (due to the unserviceability of the second), was the reason it impressed all who saw it. It was well understood the first jet fighter to actually enter service would be a far greater performer, if this hack was already as good as the best. The Airacomet was indeed the aircraft which initially served notice on all piston engine fighter development in the US.
Significant, but not a combat aircraft per se.