P-63C-5

P-63C-5

P-63A-10

P-38J-15

P-63C-5

P-63A-10

P-38J-15

USA

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.0	4.0	4.7

Class:

Fighter

Research:20 000

Purchase:135 000

Show in game

This page is about the American fighter P-63C-5. For other vehicles, see P-63 (Family).

Description

The P-63C-5 Kingcobra is a rank III American fighter with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/RB) and 4.7 (SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test in Update 1.27.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,572 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
640	626	12500	24.2	24.5	16.7	18.8	289
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,572 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
708	663	12500	22.3	23.0	32.9	21.7	289

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
0	304	480	~15	~7

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 430	< 430	< 419	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
7,000 m	1,100 hp	1,705 hp

Survivability and armour

• 15.87 mm Steel - Plates x 2, lower fore cockpit
• 19.05 mm Steel - Plate, upper fore cockpit
• 12.7 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
• 12.7 mm Steel - Plate protecting oil cooling system
• 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windscreen

Armaments

Offensive armament

The P-63C-5 is armed with:

• 1 x 37 mm M10 cannon, nose-mounted (58 rpg)
• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

Suspended armament

The P-63C-5 can be configured with the following ordinance:

• Without load
• 3 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,500 lb total)

Usage in battles

This aircraft is an improved version of the previous Kingcobra carrying the same armament and main gun. The aircraft is still a high altitude interceptor/ Energy fighter, with its turn radius slightly better than before. The quick dive speed and high energy retention allow the player, with the correct altitude, to engage opponents below numerous times using the high yo-yo method. This aircraft should not be used for ground attack due to its average ammo count.

The 37mm M10 cannon is ridiculously powerful. Aim carefully when firing, and do not fire too quickly, lest your gun jam and you lose your main weapon. A single shot to a wing or fuselage of an enemy plane will be all that it takes to bring it down.

The M2 Brownings are similar to the guns on the Bf-109- spotters. Use them to judge the range for your cannon shot. They are almost useless (except for those lucky pilot snipes) offensively.

Unfortunately, the C-5 is relatively superior to its predecessors. It has far more cannon ammo and a slightly lower climb rate than the A-10. However, this is relatively trivial as both planes are generally evenly matched. Keep this in mind, though, when selecting your load out of planes.

It is recommended to use the P-63 against large fighters and bombers. It is far easier to hit a bomber with the cannon then a small fighter with it.

Head-on attacks are not advisable- the large cannon combined with the relatively weak M2s make for poor head on accuracy. Only engage in head-ons if you are absolutely confident in your aim.

Boom & Zoom is also an effective tactic with this plane. Its large cannon makes getting shots while diving relatively easy, and its high climb rate and energy retention can get it to safety.

Bomber hunting is also extremely effective with the P-63, a large bomber is far easier to hit with a massive cannon. A single shot can take off a bomber's wing. However, don't spam the cannon. Keep the delay between shots at a 1-1.5 second. Firing too quickly will result in a jam, which makes your plane almost useless offensively.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Controllable	Combined	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Initially, the aircraft's flat speed is not fast enough to outrun Fw 190 A and F 8s that it may face, so it's recommended to upgrade engine performance first. Armament, although it won't improve greatly, is the next recommendation considering how underwhelming it may be on some occasions- do this by researching ammo belts, then improvements to the cannon.

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Offensive 12 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 12 mm MGs	FMBC mk.1
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Offensive 37 mm
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 37 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent dive speed
• Excellent energy retention
• Better-than-average climb rate
• Good flat out speed
• Good cannon damage

Cons:

• Average turn time
• Worse-than-average performance at low speeds
• Ineffective armament against higher rank aircraft
• Prone to engine damage when being chased
• Default paint scheme makes the aircraft visible at a longer distance
• Rudder locks at high speed making it hard to get guns on target in Boom & Zoom

History

The next production version of the Kingcobra was the P-63C. The first P-63C production block, designated P-63C-1 (company designation Model 33C-1), differed from the P-63A by being powered by the uprated Allison V-1710-117 engine with a war emergency rating of 1500 hp at sea level and 1800 hp with water injection. The wingspan was reduced by ten inches to 38 feet 4 inches. Apart from the more powerful engine, the P-63C-1 was basically similar to the P-63A-10.

The next P-63C production block was the P-63C-5. The most noticeable change introduced by the P-63C-5 was the addition of a ventral fin underneath the aft fuselage, intended to improve the directional stability. Total weight of armor rose to 201 pounds. Some of the earlier P-63C-1s were retrofitted with the ventral fin, but may not have been fitted to all aircraft.

The first P-63C deliveries took place in December 1944, with the total production being 1227 aircraft. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the Soviet Union, although 114 were delivered to the Armee de l'Air.

Serials of the P-63C series were as follows:

42-70686/70860 	Bell P-63C-1 Kingcobra 
43-10893/10932 	Bell P-63C-1 Kingcobra 
43-10933/11132 	Bell RP-63C-2 Kingcobra 
44-4001/4427 	Bell P-63C-5 Kingcobra 
43-11133/11717 	Bell P-63C-5 Kingcobra 

Specificaion of the Bell P-63C Kingcobra

Powerplant: One Allison V-1710-117 engine with a war emergency rating of 1500 hp at sea level and 1800 hp with water injection. Performance: maximum speed 410 mph at 25,000 feet. An altitude of 25,000 feet could be reached in 8.6 minutes. Service ceiling was 38,600 feet. Weights: 6800 pounds empty, 8800 pounds gross, and 10,700 pounds maximum takeoff. Dimensions: Wingspan 38 feet 4 inches, length 32 feet 8 inches, height 12 feet 7 inches, and wing area 248 square feet. Armament: One 37-mm cannon in the propeller hub, plus four 0.50-inch machine guns, two in the fuselage and two in underwing gondolas.

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In-game description

Bell P-63C-1/C-5 Kingcobra Army Fighter

The most advanced production model of the P-63. The P-63C had a more powerful engine, the Allison V-1710-117 (1500 hp), as well as a short-term water injection afterburner capable of boosting the engine to 1800 hp. The airplane's aerodynamics were changed: an additional fin was added under the fuselage. Other external differences included a carburetor intake and new truncated wings. The area of the stabilizers, however, was increased. Measures taken to eliminate the danger of the plane falling into a flat spin were not entirely effective; however, the plane did spin less dangerously than the P-39 Airacobra, without jerking and twisting the controls around. The plane's armament remained the same as on the A-9 and the A-10.

The P-63C fighter was produced in two major series. The C-1 series featured a multipurpose ventral pylon under the plane, similar to that of the A-1 and A-5 series, which could carry an extra fuel tank or a bomb. 215 of these airplanes were built.

The C-5 featured two additional pylons under the wings, similar to those of the A-6. So, the P-63C-5 could carry three 500-lb (227-kg) bombs or three extra 75-gallon (284-liter) fuel tanks, or a combination of the two.

The number of pylons was the only difference between the two series. The P-63C-5 became the largest series in the Kingcobra's production. By May of 1945, 1,012 planes had been constructed.

The Red Army Air Force's opinion of the P-63 was positive. Pilots noted the plane's high speed, good maneuverability, and powerful armament. The convenient three-wheeled chassis, coupled with efficient brakes, provided good conditions for taxiing, takeoff, and landing, and the plane's handling on the ground was excellent.

In World War II, the P-63 would only see combat in the USSR. In the short military campaign in the Far East in August 1945, the Japanese air force provided no serious resistance, so evaluating the Kingcobra's combat performance in air-to-air combat was not possible.

In all, 3,303 P-63 aircraft were produced, including all modifications. After the war, they remained in service with the Soviet Air Force until 1952-1953. In the U.S., all of the planes were officially retired in 1946.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.