Bell XP-77

1944

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Bell XP-77

The Bell XP-77, an all-wood light-weight fighter made from Sitka spruce, patterned after racers of the 1930s, and intended to operate from grass runways, was an astonishingly attractive machine. Yet when the first of two XP-77s flew on 1 April 1944 at Niagara Falls, New York, it was not unfitting that the date was April Fools' Day.

Initially, the idea of a small, cheap, all-wood fighter built with few strategic materials had held high appeal. In early 1941, Larry Bell's upstate New York fighter team had begun work on a plane at first called the 'Tri-4', shorthand for an informal USAAF requirement for '400hp, 4,000lbs, 400mph'. On 16 May 1942, the USAAF ordered 25 'Tri-4' aircraft. Delays, technical problems with subcontracting on plywood construction, and disappointing wind-tunnel tests caused the manufacturer to suggest by early 1943 that the number of machines on order be reduced to six. In May 1943, the USAAF pared this figure to two, seeing the XP-77 as having no operational utility but as useful in lightweight fighter research.

Beginning in July 1944, the second XP-77 was tested at Eglin Field, Florida. Spin problems led to a crash of this aircraft on 2 October 1944, which the pilot survived.

The programme did not. Plagued by noise and vibration, an unexpectedly long take-off run, and general performance 'inferior to the present fighter aircraft employed by the USAAF' (according to a report of the time), the XP-77 was killed by administrative fiat on 2 December 1944. The prototype went to Wright Field, then back to Eglin, then to Wright again. It was seen at post-war displays wearing spurious markings and its final disposition is unknown. Described in a wartime promotional release as 'an engine with a saddle on it', this effort ended up being another of the many 1941-5 programmes which failed to produce an operational aircraft.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Bell XP-77

© The XP-77 pilot had good visibility in all directions except forward, where it was largely blocked by the long nose.

© Although the structure was very light, the XP-77 only had a 520hp engine, which gave only half the power of even the fighters of 1940.

© The tricycle undercarriage gave good ground handling but in the air the stability proved inadequate.

Bell XP-77 on YOUTUBE

3-View 
Bell XP-77A three-view drawing (1663 x 1220)

Specification 
 MODELXP-77
 CREW1
 ENGINE1 x Ranger XV-770-7, 388kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight1827 kg4028 lb
  Empty weight1295 kg2855 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan8.38 m28 ft 6 in
  Length6.97 m23 ft 10 in
  Height2.50 m8 ft 2 in
  Wing area9.29 m2100.00 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed531 km/h330 mph
  Ceiling9175 m30100 ft
  Range885 km550 miles
 ARMAMENT2 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 136kg bombs

Bell XP-77

Comments
Chuck, e-mail, 04.12.2016 23:23

Michael Sproull,
I would be interested in getting a copy of the blueprints. I hope you still have them. How can I contact you?

reply

lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 Chuck

20

reply

Michael Sproull, e-mail, 07.01.2015 15:10

Rich,
I am one of Ed Hensley's step son's. If you are still interested in building an RC model of the XP-77 I believe I still have a set of blue prints for the fighter that Ed gave to me in the 60s. Update your post if interested. I had started to build a model of it before I went into the Navy in 73 but did not finish it. The plane had nice lines.

reply

Mark A. Erickson, e-mail, 02.12.2012 21:01

My dad was an engineer at Bell and worked on the XP-77. He told me that the "Ranger" engine delivered and tested was of lower power than the plane was designed for. The right "Ranger" engine was delayed in manufacture.

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Mark A. Erickson, e-mail, 02.12.2012 20:56

I have pictures of Cobra I & II with Jack Woolams and "Tex" and the cut-a-way and profile of the X-77. If you want them replace the equal sign with the "at" symble on my listed address on this page.

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Terry Hensley, e-mail, 08.06.2012 19:52

Tex Johnson and Jack Woolams were good friends of my father Edward Hensley also a Bell aircraft test pilot. They all flew the XP-77. I have a face book page for my father "Edward Hensley Pioneer Aviator" with photos of the XP-77 the XP-59 (Americas first jet) NC-1H (The first licensed helicopter)P-39 and the XP-68. These guys tested all of them. Two other test pilots I remember were Floyd Carlson and Robert Gorrill.

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Bob Brown, e-mail, 20.12.2011 19:36

Bell also used a lot of magnesium to keep the airplane light.

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Morgan, e-mail, 02.12.2011 10:36

Has anyone discovered what ultimately happened to the remaining XP-77 prototype? Hopefully it wasn't a victim of the elements as a gate guard and then, thanks to some shortsighted USAF staff type or civil servant, unceremoniously towed off someplace, broken apart and shipped off to the dump. What a great little airplane!

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Mark A. Erickson, e-mail, 08.05.2011 02:25

My dad, Norvin E. Erickson, worked for Bell Airctaft from 1939 to 1954; at the Model Town plant and Edwards. I was just wondering if any body knew him or his friend Jack Woolams.

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Rich, e-mail, 26.01.2011 19:05

I am looking to build the XP-77 as an RC aircraft. Does anyone know where I can find detailed drawings of this aircraft?

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Phil Grycel, e-mail, 07.12.2010 04:09

Woolams flew the XP77 also. I was employed by Bell at that time. The molded plywood components ,shipped by rail, eroneously wound up in Mexico.This caused a delay in delivery to Bell. Many of us fell in love with the flying splinter at first sight of the first completed model.

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Aaron, e-mail, 02.10.2010 23:01

John,
Test pilot Jack Woolams took the first XP-77 on its maiden flight on April 1, 1944. Test flights showed that the performance was disappointing, a speed of only 330mph /4000ft. being attained. the takeoff run was excessively long, and test pilots complained that there were some unfavorable vibrations at certain engine rpm because of the total lack of engine support vibration-dampening mounts. I wouldn't rule Tex out of later tests.

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Aaron, e-mail, 02.10.2010 17:35

John,
I have not been able to come up with an exact answer at this time. Late in 1942 Alvin M."Tex"Johnson declined a commission in the military service to become a test pilot at Bell to test P-39s. He also tested the XP-63 and XP-59,it is quite possible that he tested the XP-77 also but I have found no conclusive evidence, yet. In 1946 he flew a P-39 to speeds in the 430mph range to win the Thompson Trophy at the National Air Races.

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Tim, e-mail, 17.09.2010 20:12

Does anyone have info that can help me design and build a R /C model of the X-77?? Cross sections, wing profile, etc.

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Ron, e-mail, 18.03.2010 22:45

At least this shows Bell knew how to cut the weight.
Something between this and any other 1944 Bell fighter design,
would be more viable. Maybe even a jet. Pilot and engine swap places and you have a single engined F-49 with no flab.
Or L-39... etc.

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Steve, e-mail, 17.07.2009 21:00

There was nothing inherently wrong with building WWII aircraft out of wood - consider the success of the De Havilland Mosquito and numerous Russian aircraft. But all those aircraft were otherwise-conventional combat types built around full-sized engines. In choosing the Ranger engine for the XP-77, Bell guaranteed an airplane that would be too small to be useful. Compare to the very successful Swedish FFVS J22 - a light fighter with twice the horsepower.

reply

john wonch, e-mail, 14.06.2008 00:57

do you know the name of the pilots of the BELL XP-77

reply

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