Bell P-63 Kingcobra

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra was an American fighter developed from the earlier P-39 Airacobra, retaining its predecessor's distinctive mid-engine layout with the powerplant mounted behind the pilot and a cannon firing through the propeller hub. First flown in 1942, it was larger, more powerful, and aerodynamically refined compared with the P-39, and was intended primarily for low-altitude fighter and ground-support work. Although few served with American combat units, the great majority of the roughly 3,300 built were supplied to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, where the Red Air Force used them effectively in the ground-attack role on the Eastern Front.

Some others went to Free French forces, and a number were used by the US as manned aerial gunnery targets fitted with armor to absorb frangible practice bullets.