P-63 Kingcobra restoration project UK

Bell P-63c Kingcobra Restoration Project - UK

So what is the main objective of the restoration?

Ultimately it is to restore & display a static restored example of Bell's unique and rare P-63 King Cobra Fighter in the UK. With interest in the Air Wars of the Russian Eastern Front and further in the East in the Kuril Islands becoming more widespread, the P-63 is a fine example of these often "forgotten battles" of World War Two. The P-63 actually participated in the very last battles to take place in World War Two with the fighting continuing in the East past the official Surrender of Japan.

The project has been spilt down into several different stages, the first stage is to restore a P-63 King Cobra cockpit section.

So why start with the cockpit?

The Hunt brothers have at their disposal 6 recovered P-63 airframes & 4 sets of wings in various conditions, one fuselage in particular loaned itself very well to the first goal without committing or disturbing any of the other airframes. This particular P-63 cockpit was cut by the Russian's just in front of the cabin bulk head. Since the P-63 cabin is constructed in a production jig the cabin sections are largely interchangeable. This seemed like a sensible starting point, in fact the P-63 is one of the few war birds where the cockpit is a separate factory assembly to the airframe. As interest and support grows it is hoped that the project can progress to the complete air frame. In fact the Hunt's hold some very well preserved P-63 wings which would make any project that more viable.

One of the "spare" P-63 King Cobra wings on display at the Wings Museum UK. The Red Star is original!

In the long term the project faces some challenges such as the missing propeller assembly, rear fuselage structure, tail structure, super charger being the main components. It is hoped that through careful budgeting and trades with collectors and restorers in the US, that these assemblies can be sourced in time. The project has limited funds and thus is unable to purchase expensive assemblies that are more suited to a flying project.

The good news is that we have a full set of original drawings scanned on to CD (with thanks to the Confederate Air Force Museum) and a full set has been made available to the project. Other parts & assemblies have already been sourced from the US including, Aft Radio Tray/Canopy, 2 x prop spinners (no backing plate unfortunately), cockpit quarter window, throttle, control stick, seat, fuel selector control still in original 1945 Bell packaging!

The project is very keen to obtain any P-63 or P-39 items that can help with the restoration, especially those items that would assist the project in the initial stages i.e. the immediate cabin area and surrounding areas. These include 2 x port and starboard cockpit doors (please if you know of any doors in any condition please do get in touch), also canopy parts, rudder pedals, undercarriage hand crank, lower seat attachment brackets, throttle bracket and upper Seat Frame attachment brackets.

The project is also keen to hear from any companies that can help in the form of re-manufacture of replacement parts to aid this project.

P-63 Kingcobra 43- 11137 cockpit "as recovered" prior to restoration commencing.

Cockpit of P-63c Kingcobra 43- 11137 on display at "Cockpitfest" 2012 Newark Air Museum UK.

Our P-63 Kingcobra Cockpit project is progressing very well indeed, so much so that there is now talk about starting work on a centre section! Up to now work has concentrated on front windscreen frame, but work is also ongoing on reproducing 2 new build cockpit doors as well as a set of instrument panels. The original rudder pedals are also being stripped down prior to restoration.

Some photos of work in progress....

Original control yoke, stripped & alichromed prior to final painting, the completed stick assembly is now fully operational after 70 years.

Work is well advanced on a set of new build cockpit doors - see above showing work in progress

New front screen fairing is trial fitted, this assembly includes the front armour plate & armoured glass demister.

2011/12 P-63 Kingcobra Restoration Works Archive>

E-mail us at: info@wingsmuseum.co.uk

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