U. S. Military Aircraft

Bell AP-77

Photo By Coll B Thouanel

During the Second World War most combatants became concerned about the continued availability of strategic materials such as aluminum, and planned combat aircraft round non strategic materials. One such American warplane was a lightweight fighter designed by bell as the Tri-4. This was a neat low wing monoplane based on a wooden structure and intended to be powered by a supercharged version of the Ranger V-770 in-line. A clean and attractive design with retractable tricycle landing gear, the Xp-77 was beset by in-flight vibration problems caused by its rigid engine mounting. The program various delays and a considerable rise in cost, so only two aircraft were completed with a super charged engines. The of these flew in April 1944, and evaluation testing revealed a number of shortcomings,. The second prototype cashed in October, 1944 and the program was canceled two months later. 

Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft

Length: 22 ft. 10.5 in.

Propulsion

Performance