Bell P-59 Airacomet (with Bell P-63 Kingcobra in background)

The Bell P-59A was a fighter aircraft built in the United States during World War II. Its prototype, the XP-59A became the first jet-powered aircraft to fly in the US on October 1, 1942. The type was produced in small numbers and its performance was so unremarkable that the USAAF cancelled the contract when less than half of the aircraft ordered had been produced. No P-59s went into combat, the aircraft considered to have deficient performance.