P-59A 44-22609 and P-63A
Design and Structure (P-59A)
Type: Single-seat jet-propelled Fighter Trainer
Wings:
- Configuration: Mid-wing cantilever monoplane with laminar flow wing section, a 2° geometric twist, 3° dihedral, 2° incidence, and 7° leading-edge sweep-back.
- Structure: Comprises two main spars, an auxiliary spar, a nose beam, ribs, stringers, and transverse bulkheads, covered with a flush-riveted smooth metal skin. Detachable wing-tips are included. Aerodynamically-balanced flaps are located between the ailerons and wing roots. Ailerons have pressure seals and are of the pressure-balance type.
Fuselage:
- Sections: Divided into two parts. The forward section includes the armament bay, centre section with the cabin, and twin engine nacelles, while the rear is a semi-monocoque structure. The forward section also houses the radio compartment and two main centre-section spars.
Tail Unit:
- Type: Cantilever monoplane type, all-metal framework with metal-covered fixed surfaces. Trim-tabs are present in the elevators.
Landing Gear:
- Type: Retractable tricycle type, with a self-castoring non-steerable nose wheel that retracts backwards into the fuselage, and main wheels retracting inwardly into the outer wings. Operated by a 1½ h.p. electric motor.
Power Plant
- Engines: Two General Electric 1-16 Whittle-type turbine jet units located in nacelles under the wing roots. Each engine has a centrifugal compressor and a single-stage turbine wheel, with speed controlled by adjusting the fuel supply to the burners.
- Fuel: Four interconnected self-sealing fuel cells in each wing. Provision for auxiliary fuel tanks via shackle-type bomb racks under each wing.
Accommodation
- Cockpit: Enclosed cockpit located just forward of the engine compartment. The canopy can be jettisoned in emergencies and features a mechanism for sliding open.
Armament
- Options: Various forward-firing combinations can be installed in the nose compartment, including one 37 mm cannon and three .50 cal. machine guns. Bomb racks are available under each outer wing.
Dimensions
- Span: 45 ft. 6 in. (13.87 m)
- Length: 38 ft. 1.5 in. (11.63 m)
- Height: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) over canopy, 12 ft. (3.66 m) over tail
- Wing Area: 385.8 sq. ft. (35.8 sq. m)
Weights and Loadings
- Empty Weight: 7,950 lbs. (3,610 kg)
- Loaded Weight: 10,822 lbs. (4,915 kg)
- Wing Loading: 28.05 lbs./sq. ft. (136.88 kg./sq. m)
Performance
- Maximum Speed: Over 400 mph (640 km/h)
- Service Ceiling: Over 40,000 ft. (12,200 m)