The Bell XP-77: The little fighter that couldn't

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 07/12/2017 at 12:35 • Filed to: wingspan, planes you've (probably) never heard of, Planelopnik

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From the Planes You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of Department of Wingspan , we bring you the Bell XP-77 .

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In the early stages of WWII, the US was faced with two problems, one potential, and the other frighteningly real. The first was the possibility that the light metal alloys used in the construction of aircraft might become scarce, mainly because the production of these metals for aircraft could soon outstrip the country’s ability to produce them. If that became the case, then other materials would have to be used, and there was one thing the US had in abundance: wood. The second, very real problem was the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, a lightweight, agile fighter that took the Americans by surprise in the Pacific. Heavier, less maneuverable American fighters had suffered greatly in dogfights with the Zero, so a comparable, lightweight fighter might be the answer to the scourge of the Zero-Sen.

The small size of the XP-77 is readily apparent as it sits between a North American B-25 and a Douglas A-20

To solve both problems at once, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! proposed the Tri-4 in 1941. Inspired by the small and light racers that had taken part in the Thompson Trophy air races of the 1930s, the Tri-4 was constructed mainly of wood, and its aft fuselage was made as small as possible. Bell estimated that the Tri-4, soon to be designated the XP-77, would have a top speed of 410 mph at 27,000 feet while carrying two .50 caliber machine guns and two 20mm cannons. Its thin wings allowed no room for fuel tanks, so a single tank containing just 56 gallons of fuel was placed ahead of the cockpit. Complete with a supercharged !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! inverted 12-cylinder engine, they projected that the XP-70 would weigh no more than 3,700 pounds.

Though it wasn’t much of a performer in the air, the XP-77's tricycle landing gear, a trademark of the Bell Corporation, gave the little fighter excellent handling on the ground.

The US Army Air Corps initially ordered 25 aircraft for testing in 1942, but delays in procuring a supercharger meant that the first flight didn’t take place until 1944, by which time the USAAC had already canceled the project, as aircraft aluminum had not become scarce, and traditional fighters had come to grips with the Zero. Tests with the unsupercharged Ranger engine proved less than spectacular, with the little fighter only reaching 330 mph at 4,000 feet. Problems with the wooden wings and persistent vibrations from the engine’s being mounted directly to the airframe meant that the XP-77 was difficult to fly, even without the added weight of guns and armor plating. Though testing continued, the loss of the second prototype in a crash doomed the wooden wonder to termination in December 1944.

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Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > ttyymmnn 07/12/2017 at 12:41

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I love Bell. So much of their stuff ends up in the bin, but it’s so unique. Seems like they just weren’t afraid of failure... and big believers in “the best way to find out is to try”.

They really were best suited to building experimental aircraft.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/12/2017 at 12:46

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And helicopters. My god have they built a lot of helicopters.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 07/12/2017 at 12:49

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Right. Forgot about those.

I knew there was something I missed that kept the lights on...

ttyymmnn > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/12/2017 at 13:22

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“Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.”

Lawrence D. Bell

One of my favorite quotes.

I’m on vacation, and completely forgot that this was posting today. I’m in Ft. Wayne right now, and will be going to the USAF Museum tomorrow. I basically told my wife that I don’t care if the family comes along or not, I’m going. Davy Crockett famously said, “You may all go to hell; I’m going to Texas.” I told my family, “You may all go to hell; I’m going to Dayton.” Can’t wait to see the Valkyrie.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > ttyymmnn 07/12/2017 at 13:25

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Nice. Enjoy!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ttyymmnn 07/12/2017 at 14:05

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Years ago I ferried a plane to OH for a customer, and ended up at the Wright-Patt museum with an Air Force LTC for an escort. (We got access to some areas not normally open, and saw some cool stuff) The two planes I wanted to see the most were the B-36 and the Valk. Neither disappointed.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ttyymmnn 07/12/2017 at 14:07

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Where were the guns supposed to go?

ttyymmnn > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 07/12/2017 at 15:23

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A 20mm cannon firing through the spinner, and two .5 in Brownings, presumably in the cowling.

ttyymmnn > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 07/12/2017 at 15:24

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I saw the B-36 25 years ago. Can’t wait to see the XB-70.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ttyymmnn 07/12/2017 at 21:00

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One cannon or two? The Wiki entry says one.

ttyymmnn > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 07/12/2017 at 21:28

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One.