FM-1 Airacuda
The Bell YFM-1 Airacuda was an American heavy fighter aircraft, developed by the Bell Aircraft Corporation for the United States Army Air Corps during the mid-1930s. It was the first military aircraft produced by Bell. Originally designated the Bell Model 1, the Airacuda first flew on 1 September 1937. The Airacuda was marked by bold design advances and considerable flaws that eventually grounded the aircraft. The Airacuda was Bell Aircraft's answer for a "bomber destroyer" aircraft. Although it did see limited production, and one fully operational squadron was eventually formed, only one prototype and 12 production models were ultimately built, in three slightly different versions.
Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.
- Manufacturer
- Bell Aircraft Corporation
- Category
- Fighters
- Country of origin
- United States
- First flight
- 1937-09-01
Specifications
- Cruise speed
- 212 kt
- Max speed
- 241 kt
- Range
- 2,300 nm
- Service ceiling
- 30,500 ft
- Rate of climb
- 1,480 ft/min
- Max takeoff weight
- 21,625 lb
- Empty weight
- 13,376 lb
- Fuel capacity
- 400 US gal
- Powerplant
- Allison V-1710-9
- Engines
- 2
- Seats
- 5
- Length
- 44.8 ft
- Wingspan
- 69.8 ft
- Height
- 13.6 ft
- Number built
- 13
Specifications are approximate and may vary by variant. Compiled from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Reference and training only. Specifications vary by variant — consult the manufacturer and the official documents.