Bell YFM-1 Airacuda

Bell YFM-1 Airacuda			Photo Gallery
Introduced in 1937, the Bell YFM-1 Airacuda was designed as a "bomber destroyer" and it was the first military aircraft produced by Bell. It was a quantum leap from the fabric covered Curtiss P-6E and Boeing P-12E biplanes, which were in service at the time. It had a crew of five and was armed with two M4 37 mm cannons and six machine-guns (either .30 or .50 caliber) for defense. It was a bold concept but flaws with flight characteristics and engine overheating eventually grounded the aircraft. Only one prototype and thirteen test models were built.