Mystery Bell P-63

[zorro7]

Bell P-63 Folks:

Good day!!

As found on e-bay awhile ago. A fair B/w of a poss Bell P-63E or C model. The only poss Ids at the tail reads C-28 or C-26. Place Ukn date poss 1950s. If anyone has more details plz let us know. We are looking for all possible pictures of the 12 Bell P-63E models built.
http://www.catrachowings.com
Tks in advance


By mtg1966

[L. Thompson]

The photo is almost certainly of Charlie Tucker's P-63C-5, 44-4126, NX63231, which became race #30 in 1946 for the Bendix race.





I don't know about this eBay snapshot pose, but can anyone confirm that the other shot of a somewhat derelict race #30 among the eBay photos currently up (search "P-63 photo") was shot at Prescott, Arizona.
See at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1940s-Bell-P-63C-Ki ... 2134wt_774

Does anyone recognize those hills in the background as Prescott?

[zorro7]

Mr. L. Thompson:

Good Day!!

That is indeed a positive id. Thank you very much. I'm sorry but I can not help you with the background of the B/W P-63C #30.

p.s Are you related to Mr. William Thompson?? This person took some superb P-63E photographs at a RFC in Arkansas c. late 40s. If someone else knows his whereabouts plz let me know via Wix or PM.

Tks in advance!!

[Second Air Force]

The "SC" code on the tail possibly/probably denotes assignment to Sioux City Army Air Field. Sioux City was home to a P-63 detachment that flew interception missions against the crews training at the B-29 Phase Training fields in Nebraska and Kansas. The Harvard AAF base records mention keeping Sioux City Kingcobras overnight and doing maintenance and T.O. compliance on some of the SCAAF airplanes when they got behind at the home base. Sorry I don't have a serial number list but these airplanes moved around the Second Air Force system to wherever gunners needed "live" targets to aim at.

Scott

[L. Thompson]

I am no known relation to William Thompson but would sure love to see those Arkansas RFC P-63 photos!

I have a pretty thick file of collected clippings, photos, and such on civil P-63s so let me know any specifics on missing puzzle pieces you are looking for.

[zorro7]

Mr. Thompson:

Tks for the offer. It's indeed appreciated. You may see one of his AAF Arkansas RFC pictures on pg 40 of the Sq Signal pub in Action series #43. Low on flying hours and complete with a ferry ventral gas tank. Will dig some more info/pics tomorrow of this place for you. Scott tks for the SC code info/data.

p.s If you have any data, pictures or clippings of some 5 P-63Es at the Miami area c. 1948 plz let me know. US Reg N92849, N92850, N69702, N9990H, NC5622N.

Tks in advance!

[L. Thompson]

My Civil P-63E list before today:

43-11725 P-63E-1 NX69702 race 65
43-11727 P-63E-1 N9003R FAH 400
43-11728 P-63E-1 NX41964 FAH 401
43-11729 P-63E-1 N9001R FAH 402
43-11730 P-63E-1 N9002R FAH 403
43-11731 P-63E-1 N9004R FAH 404

P-63E? NX41963 (identity unknown to me) This was the first of the two civil-registered two-place P-63s.

Zorro7, I sent a PM to you with further comment.

[b29flteng]

Here's a photo link in its racing colors.

http://www.airrace.com/1946NAR.html

[zorro7]

Mr. Thompson:

Tks for the data & info again! Included is one of the pictures of Walnut Ridge AAF field c. 1948-1949 from the Army AF archives. You may look them up in google for other nice aircraft shots.

[L. Thompson]

It is interesting when you can still find a late 1940's listing of a warbird online at the FAA Reistry site:

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=5622N

Here we find that Howard Pemberton owned N5622N:

Deregistered Aircraft 2 of 2
Aircraft Description
Serial Number 3313 Type Registration Individual
Manufacturer Name BELL Certificate Issue Date 08/13/1946
Model P63E Mode S Code 51630403
Year Manufacturer None Cancel Date 07/06/1949
Reason for Cancellation Exported Export To HONDURAS
Aircraft Registration prior to Deregistration
Name PEMBERTON HOWARD LAVERNE
Street 1244 FORBES ST
City KALAMAZOO State MICHIGAN Zip Code 49001
County KALAMAZOO
Country UNITED STATES
Deregistered Airworthiness
Engine Manufacturer None Classification Unknown
Engine Model None Category None
A/W Date None
Deregistered Other Owner Names
None

[warbird51]

P-63E? NX41963 (identity unknown to me) This was the first of the two civil-registered two-place P-63s.



Of the 2 P-63E's that Bell converted to 2 place civil registered, #43-11734 is in storage in Nothern Calif. and the other is in the NMUSAF and finished up as a PinBall P-63.

[mike furline]

Delete

[zorro7]

P-63Es Folks:

Good day!!

Interesting data on the Bell P-63s! Tks

Does anyone have any pictures or close-ups of the Bell P-63E dual seaters?? What was exactly in that aft seat?? Did it have any instruments?? What was the purpose of the 2 models converted to dual seats??

[Dan K]

Of the 2 P-63E's that Bell converted to 2 place civil registered, #43-11734 is in storage in Nothern Calif...

Info from the CAF-Dixie Wing site suggests 43-11734 is under restoration. Is this rebuild on hold now?

http://www.dixiewing.org/aircraft/p63/p63other.html

[warbird51]

Of the 2 P-63E's that Bell converted to 2 place civil registered, #43-11734 is in storage in Nothern Calif...

Info from the CAF-Dixie Wing site suggests 43-11734 is under restoration. Is this rebuild on hold now?

http://www.dixiewing.org/aircraft/p63/p63other.html

Yes, it's restoration has been on hold for a few years now. An infusion of cash would get it going again.