The Bell XP-77 was an American, prototype WWII fighter plane in a low-wing, mostly wooden structure. The drive was provided by a single engine Ranger XV-770 520 hp. The first flight of this machine took place in 1944. The plane never entered mass production - only two prototypes were produced. The armament was to consist of two 12.7 mm machine guns and a bomb load of up to 147 kg.
The Bell XP-77 was commissioned by the US Air Force, which wanted to explore the possibilities of creating a light fighter with a wooden structure, but having the best possible performance and high maneuverability. There are many indications that it was inspired by projects that were created in Great Britain or Italy. Analytical work on the new plane began in late 1941, but the design - for both the Air Force and Bell facilities - had a low priority and the XP-77 was not flown until spring 1944. However, the aircraft's performance was much below the assumed, and certainly much worse than the already produced American fighters such as the P-47 or P-51, and was also too delicate in design. Finally, the entire project was canceled in December 1944.
The Bell XP-77 is an American, experimental, single-engine light fighter from the Second World War in a low wing configuration. The flight of the prototype took place in April 1944. The drive was served by the Ranger V-770-7 in-line engine with a power of 527 HP. The XP-77 was created as a light fighter plane, the construction of which was to be built using only non-strategic measures, so it was supposed to use as little aluminum as possible. However, it never went beyond the prototype stage - the US economy never suffered from a shortage of aluminum alloys during World War II, and the aircraft's performance was inferior to that of already mass-produced machines. Technical data: length: 6.96m, wingspan: 8.38m, height: 2.49m, maximum speed: 530km / h, ceiling practical: 9200m, maximum range: 890km, armament: fixed - 2 M2 machine guns cal. 12 , 7mm and one 20mm HS.404 cannon, suspended - up to 150 kg of bombs.