The Bell YFM-1 Airacuda was an American heavy fighter aircraft, developed by the Bell Aircraft Corporation for the United States Army Air Corps during the mid-1930s. It was the first military aircraft produced by Bell. Originally designated the Bell Model 1, the Airacuda first flew on 1 September 1937. The Airacuda was marked by bold design advances and considerable flaws that eventually grounded the aircraft.
Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
Bell FM-1 mockup at Langley wind tunnel
Bell YFM-1 during testing
Page from Bell YFM-1 and YFM-1B handbook (T.O.-01-110HA-1) showing emergency equipment and exits.
A heavy fighter is a historic category of fighter aircraft produced in the 1930s and 1940s, designed to carry heavier weapons or operate at longer ranges than light fighter aircraft. To achieve performance, most heavy fighters were twin-engine, and many had multi-place crews; this was in contrast to light fighters, which were typically single-engine and single-crew aircraft. In Germany, these larger fighters were known as Zerstörer ("destroyer").
A de Havilland Mosquito FB.VI fighter-bomber used for testing rocket armament
The Potez 633, a light-bomber variant of the 63 series
A Messerschmitt Bf 110 in flight
Bristol Beaufighter