Bell P-63D Kingcobra - Delivering a Bigger Punch

[Nostalgistic]

Would you like to see this in-game?

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Bell P-63D Kingcobra

   Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Bell P-63D Kingcobra for the US aviation tech tree. The P-63D (Bell Model 41) was a subsequent development of the Kingcobra series. While it was largely based on the P-63A-10, it incorporated several important upgrades, including a new high-performance engine and a better cannon. As only a single example of the P-63D was ever built, I believe this aircraft is a great candidate for inclusion as a premium, squadron, or event vehicle.

Key Characteristics

• High-altitude fighter design
• 1,425-hp Allison V-1710-109 with improved supercharger
• Rearward-sliding bubble canopy
• 37 mm M9E1 high-velocity cannon with 48 rounds
• Increased wingspan and deletion of ventral tail fin

History

The P-63D was a further development of the Kingcobra series, closely based on the P-63A-10 and built under serial number 43-11718. Developed in 1944–1945, it was Bell Aircraft’s attempt to secure a continued US Army Air Forces contract by offering an improved Kingcobra model with enhanced performance and firepower.

Several significant changes set the P-63D apart from earlier variants. It was powered by a new Allison V-1710-109 engine equipped with an improved supercharger, producing 1,425 horsepower at takeoff. The wingspan was increased by 10 inches, and the aircraft was fitted with a rearward-sliding bubble canopy, eliminating the earlier “car-style” side doors. To accommodate this new canopy, the air scoop was relocated further aft, which allowed the canopy to slide back without obstruction. Another notable change was the removal of the ventral tail fin found on the P-63C.

Perhaps the most important upgrade was the armament: the P-63D was fitted with a new 37 mm M9E1 cannon, derived from the M1A2 anti-aircraft gun. This weapon weighed twice as much as the older M4 cannon but had a longer barrel, offering a significant performance boost. The M9E1 had a muzzle velocity of 930 m/s, compared to 556 m/s for the M4, an increase of roughly 50%. In aerial combat, this meant far greater accuracy, penetration, and kinetic energy, especially when firing 37mm rounds.

The P-63D conducted its first flight tests in early 1945. Thanks to the upgraded engine and refined aerodynamics, it achieved a maximum speed of 437 mph at 30,000 feet, making it the fastest Kingcobra variant. Despite its impressive performance, the aircraft offered no clear advantages over existing frontline fighters like the P-51D Mustang or P-47 Thunderbolt, which were already in full-scale production and combat service.

Tragically, the sole P-63D was lost in a diving test crash, incapacitating test pilot Robert Borcherdt. Although the aircraft never entered production, it served as a further development for the subsequent P-63E, which reintroduced the ventral fin and reverted to the older canopy style. Ultimately, the end of World War II led to the cancellation of further Kingcobra development and procurement.

Specifications

Bell P-63D Kingcobra

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 (Pilot)
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 2 in (3.4 m)
  • Wingspan: 39 ft 2 in (11.9 m)
  • Wing Area: 255 sq ft (23.69 sq m)
• Propeller: 4-blade constant-speed
• Powerplant: Allison V-1710-109 liquid-cooled V12
  • Power Output: 1,425 hp (1,048 kW)
• Weights:
  • Empty: 7,076 lb (3,210 kg)
  • Combat: 8,740 lb (3,964 kg)
  • Max Takeoff: 11,100 lb (4,990 kg)

Performance

• Power-to-Weight: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg) @ combat weight
• Speed @ Critical Altitude: 437 mph @ 30,000 ft (703 km/h @ 9,144 m)
• Wing Loading: 34.27 lb/sq ft (167.3 kg/sq m)
• Climb Performance: Time to Altitude: 11.2 min → 28,000 ft (8,534 m)
• Service Ceiling: 39,000 ft (11,887 m)
• Range:
  • Combat: 950 mi (1,529 km)
  • Ferry: 2,000 mi (3,219 km) with external tanks

Armament

• Guns:
  • 1 x 37mm M9E1 cannon (48 rds)
  • 4 x .50 cal M2 Browning (900 rds total)
• Bombs: 3 x 500-lb M64 bombs

Images

Conclusion | Why it should be in the game

   This suggestion is part of my broader effort to promote more World War II content in War Thunder. I believe the P-63D was a remarkably unique and advanced evolution of the Kingcobra line that featured a more powerful engine, a redesigned bubble canopy, and a high-velocity cannon, which significantly enhanced its firepower. Thanks to its uprated V-1710-109 engine with an improved supercharger, the P-63D outperformed earlier American Kingcobra variants in speed and overall flight performance. Given its rarity and distinctive characteristics, the P-63D would make an excellent addition to War Thunder as a premium, event, or squadron vehicle, providing a good opportunity for dedicated completionists and enthusiasts of piston-engine fighters.

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Sources

• P-39 Airacobra in Action (1980)
• Crowood Aviation Series Bell P-39 Airacobra (2000)
• Bell P-63D Kingcobra
• Bell P-63 Kingcobra
• Bell P-39 Airacobra & P-63 Kingcobra
• Уголок неба ¦ M9 37-мм авиационная пушка
• Bell P-63 Kingcobra - Wikipedia

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

[jon_man1199]

A +1 from me, would make for a neat premium or even a BP vehicle

[DarkLordMagus]

I’ve been waiting for this one for a long time. Not the final Kingcobra, but it is the definitive version.

While being a one-off it would be justified to have it as an event/premium/squadron vehicle, given it’s the best P-63 (in both performance and armament) I’d kinda like to stick it in the tech tree. Right before the F-82E, which is currently by itself in USA’s 1st line of Rank IV.

[Nostalgistic]

@DarkLordMagus

I’ve been waiting for this one for a long time. Not the final Kingcobra, but it is the definitive version.

Same here as of 2025.

@DarkLordMagus

I’d kinda like to stick it in the tech tree. Right before the F-82E, which is currently by itself in USA’s 1st line of Rank IV.

Not a bad idea. Actually, I support this as I’d like to see it in the tech tree. Furthermore, the new 37-mm M9E1 cannon is definitely a game-changer and a fresh change for the P-63 series. Even, if it has to be an event/premium/squadron vehicle, so be it. I prefer this over copy-and-paste vehicles, in my opinion.

[Su_Monaghan]

As someone who primarily uses the P-63C-5,
the M4/M10 is too slow to hit.
So I always wanted a variant that uses the M9 autocannon.

This is absolutely perfect, the armament and engine are flawless.
I really hope it comes out in some form.