P-63 "The King Cobra" - Lackland AFB - San Antonio, Texas
Posted by: Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
N 29° 23.577 W 098° 37.212
14R E 536851 N 3251582
World War II fighter plane mostly sent to Russia in the Lend-Lease Program, displayed adjacent to parade field at Lackland Air Force Base.
Waymark Code: WM3CT4
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/16/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Team GeoDuo
Views: 75

P-63
"The King Cobra"

Bell Aircraft developed the P-63 from the P-39 "Airacobra."  The P-63 resembles the P-39 in appearance:  The P-63 is over two feet longer, has two feet more wing span, and is higher, faster and heavier than the P-39.  Most P-63's were sent to Russia and the Free French as lend-lease material.  This particular version, nicknamed "Pinball," is heavily armored to protect the pilot.  It was used, in the United States, as a piloted air-to-air gunnery target.  Gunners in other aircraft fired at the RP-63's with frangible bullets, if hits were scored, red lights in the wing tips of the RP-63 would blink.  A total of 227 RP-63 series aircraft were built.

Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft Quantity Produced (All Models):  3303
Wing Span:  39' 2" Speed:  400+ mph
Length:  32' 8" Range:  320 miles
Height:  12'7" Altitude:  38,600'
Empty Weight:  6,375 lbs Power Plant:  Allison V-1710-135, 1325 hp

Information from sign in front of aircraft.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): P-63 "The King Cobra"

Tail Number: (S/N): 557295

Construction:: original aircraft

Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Lackland AFB

inside / outside: outside

Other Information:: Not listed

Access restrictions: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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Camp7Chris visited P-63 "The King Cobra" - Lackland AFB - San Antonio, Texas 01/02/2011 Camp7Chris visited it
Camp7Chris visited P-63 "The King Cobra" - Lackland AFB - San Antonio, Texas 01/02/2011 Camp7Chris visited it
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