The Bell P-63 King Cobra
is the further development of the P-39 Airacobra. It is a bit bigger
than the Airacobra and it is also faster. The King Cobra was popular
with the Soviet Union, who used it for ground attack and some
dogfighting. 3,300 King Cobras were built during the war. 2,400 went to
the Soviet Union, 300 to the Free French forces and the rest went to
training units of the USAAC. The P-63 never saw combat service for the
United States. About 6 or so remain today, including this one, which is
owned and operated by the Planes of Fame museum in Chino.
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