Guided tour around America's FIRST jet! The Bell P-59 Airacomet

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks for watching everyone! Have you been to the March Field Air Museum? They've got a great range of aircraft and they very kindly allowed me to climb inside and film the P-59.Check out their website: www.marchfield.org/ :D

[@MykeyInChains]

Paul is exactly the type of obsessive nerd that I come to KZbin for. Love these videos!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Haha cheers!

[@paullewis5045]

Thanks for the cockpit view. Great to see that layout for the first time. My dad did voiceover work, probably for training or promotional films for Bell when this aircraft was in development. It took over 70 years to see and realize dad had secured an autographed copy of the 422609 signed by Robert Stanley who is probably flying 609 when this photo was taken. @4:25.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Very cool!

[@camrenw9719]

Oooh, March air museum! I've volunteered there at restoration, its incredible. I'm glad you had a good time

[@rudylerma3042]

When did you volunteer in restoration, I was restoration Mgr. from 1996 to 2018.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

It's an amazing place.

[@camrenw9719]

@@rudylerma3042 I volunteered there for about 6 months in the first half of 2023

[@deeacosta2734]

Paul’s head is as aerodynamic as that plane.

[@AsherJohnson-k1i]

Haha

[@PaulStewartAviation]

😂 my head is much more aero than this!

[@oxcart4172]

Why do u have to make personal comments? It's not cool

[@deeacosta2734]

@@oxcart4172 Paul is awesome and he knows it a joke. Relax.

[@deeacosta2734]

@@PaulStewartAviation much love Paul. You’re doing my dream. 🙏🫡

[@keithammleter3824]

At 2:03 Paul is talking about the need for the US to catch up in jet engine technology in 1941, and mentioned that Rolls Royce had sold their Nene engine design to the USSR. Huh? Wot? The Nene wasn't even thought of until 1944 and RR didn't sell the Nene design to the Soviets until September1946, when it had became obsolete due to the development of non-German axial flow engines. It should be noted that the reason why General Electric was able to quickly come up with a useable jet engine after the USAAF found out about the British jets is because GE had already been working their own jet engine components in secret.

[@grooveyman]

Yet another magnificent video by Mr Stewart. Very interesting aircraft. Many thanks - look forward to the next one.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks! 😃

[@koh_ling]

Always great to see another upload from Paul Stewart!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I appreciate the support!

[@markwng]

Good show about a sliver of history mostly forgotten.

[@idanceforpennies281]

According to Chuck Yaeger, the P-80 successor to this thing, had almost identical performance to the Me 262. But the engines were much more reliable and durable.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes the Me 262 was vastly superior to the Allied prop planes but very impractical. I suspect things would have ended differently if the Germans survived another year in the way.

[@idanceforpennies281]

@@PaulStewartAviation Lack of nickel, titanium and molybdenum meant the BMW and Junkers gas turbines could never be upgraded, reliable or durable. That's it.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

The P80 was a SINGLE engine plane !!!!Jet development had taken place and more power was available !!!! DUUUUHH!!!!!

[@idanceforpennies281]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 I didn't say the P80 had two engines. The plural refers to the fleet and the production of engines inter alia. Given that I am a CPL , I can assure you, I know a shit ton more about planes than you.

[@Manco65]

​​@@wilburfinnigan2142no s*** Captain Obvious Go troll somewhere else dip wad.

[@darthnihilus511]

Yes another Paul video!!!! Thank you for bringing us with you again 🙏🏻

[@dwjr5129]

Always love the history lesson along with your tours. 👍🏻

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I'm glad you like it!

[@michaelmancinidesign]

Repurposing a socket wrench for the landing gear up/down lever is a clever choice.

[@Bramon83]

those cowlings omg.... that WHOLE plane omg. maybe my new fav aircraft. i love odd ducks.

[@hoodoo2001]

German jets of WWII used swept wings for balance or tailless controllability.

[@cdstoc]

The March Field museum is a nice one, I've been there a couple of times. For those outside southern California, visiting this museum could be combined with those at nearby Chino, too, well worth the visit.

[@babuzzard6470]

Another plane I was unaware of, thanks Paul, keep ‘em coming.🇦🇺👍

[@alfredogontijo8044]

Parabéns Paul estou amando seus vídeos!

[@annedewsbury3354]

I find your videos so informative and interesting. History is so important. I am glad to see people like you, keeping us informed. Thank you.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I’m glad you enjoy them!

[@Rwlp_PhotoGraphy]

Always good to see a new Paul Stewart video

[@michaelsimonds2632]

Thanks!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks!

[@johndornoff]

Thanks for another excellent tour video, Paul. Never been to the museum despite having been to the Orange Empire Museum (now Southern California Railway Museum) dozens of times, my Uncle, who was a WWII veteran like my dad, is buried in the March cemetery, which is located across the highway from the main base.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks John. It's definitely worth visiting and they were very accomodating with letting me film.

[@AC_702]

Excellent! I didnt know the tail covering was fabric! Wow...with hot exhaust gases coming out especially when on the ground idling and so on

[@PaulStewartAviation]

The control surfaces were initially fabric but changed ti aluminium in later designs.

[@higgydufrane]

Thank-you Paul.

[@rob737700]

Love your videos, thanks for all of the effort and work you put into them.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@Xerpocalypse_]

Thanks for the excellent video as always Paul. I haven't been to the air museum at March since I was a kid, maybe it's time to experience it again :D

[@PaulStewartAviation]

It's a great museum, isn't it?

[@darthnihilus511]

3:38 no shame guys, I worked for a modular home company and we built an entire neighborhood’s worth of houses just to realize on the day of delivery that they didn’t fit out of the roll-up door 😂

[@staralliancefan1245]

Another great video Paul! Thanks for posting! I didn't realise this existed as thought that the P-80 was the first so this is interesting.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it! It’s a bit of a forgotten aircraft, but pretty cool for it's time.

[@robertcoleman4861]

THANKS PAUL.☕🍩

[@PaulStewartAviation]

You're welcome!

[@Oduck22]

6:48 I like how the nose wheel and tire look like they belong on a 21st Century Racing Kart 🛞 glad to see March Field on the channel 🎃 actually going there today for the “Wings & Treats” Halloween Event

[@craig2809]

I live right up the street from the building this was built in. In Buffalo NY.

[@emmgeevideo]

I live near San Francisco where this video was watched.

[@jeromewagschal9485]

Thank you so much for that video it was awesome 👍👍

[@PaulStewartAviation]

No problem 👍

[@Oduck22]

Well done, I appreciate how much time must go into each video. I’ve filmed and stared at these planes forever but providing facts and commentary to KZbin using old film and photos is impressive👍🛫🎬

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I appreciate the kind words. It’s a lot of work but I love doing it!

[@ginog5037]

Excellent video, Paul. Your teaser was great, the clue Chuck Yeager flew this got me. I assumed all P 59 were gone...

[@bostonrailfan2427]

i have heard that test pilots were a bit crazy but a gorilla suit and bowler hat takes the cake as craziest thing…😂 15:43 you used a carrier actually built then, the USS FDR wasn’t built until after the Navy tests were done and in service when the jets were already retired 🤓 funny, the F1H is the very same ship shown in 15:43 just 25 years and a massive overhaul later!

[@yes_head]

Nice. I'm pretty sure that display panel was taken right out of the P-63. And I never knew about the connection between the P-59B and the P-80.

[@SPak-rt2gb]

The A-9 you showed at the beginning of the video I call it a P-59 on steroids. The P-59 at POF Chino used to have a double cockpit that you showed before they converted it to a single cockpit. Still waiting for the flight of that plane.

[@robertspeicher5047]

I was taking flying lessons in Teterboro New Jersey. 1962. Next store was a hangar and yard with single engine aircraft. Among them was one these jets. The canopy and nose is distinctive. Over the years I've often what happened to that aircraft.

[@stephenmilton9998]

Whoa, to able to sit in it !!!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Lucky me!

[@MemeLord004]

March is my favorite museum, you should tour the YA-9 there next time your there

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep it’s a great place. I have filmed the exterior of it.

[@ItsKing32]

Apparently the NASM has a XP-59A but its in storage 😢

[@timcvetic5054]

13:23 notice that the nose gear is not coming down on the B-47 ?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep, check out the B-47 video for an explanation that :)

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

No airliner looks as graceful as the Connie. I certainly don't mind a few gratuitous clips mixed in.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I agree. The Connie’s a classic.

[@oxcart4172]

What the hell is going on with that P-59A that's being restored to fly? By the time they finish it, they'll have to start again!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

That's the one at Planes of Fame I believe? I tried to liaise with them to film but they never replied to multiple emails.

[@oxcart4172]

@@PaulStewartAviation yeah, that's the one. Kudos for trying!

[@tootired76]

I could have cared less about the P -59 until I saw one in British livery. Now I have a 1/48 scale kit which I will use the Brit color scheme to finish it!

[@codefeenix]

Thanks dude

[@PaulStewartAviation]

You're welcome!

[@Wannes_]

Planes of Fame @ Chino has a YP-59 under restoration to flight status

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes it’ll be incredible to see it fly again!

[@FanDancer]

🎉🎉 good sir. The baldy comment wasn’t from your normal commenter. I changed my name. Good to see ya!

[@penultimateh766]

That instrument panel looks like a Piper Cub's.

[@shannonwittman950]

I'd like to find interviews of Bell personnel who designed the XP-59 jet; or, If I could flash back to around 1959, first thing I'd ask is -- did you consider taking a P-63 airframe and sticking a single jet engine where the piston engine lived? Use the same side-gill intakes except smaller and leaner? Swap out the stock canopy with a slide-back bubble? Having said that, I give those gents credit for placing the two engines tight in together. It concentrated the thrust, also negated the effect of uneven thrust per engine -- as with engines placed in the wings. Thanks for a great video!

[@janusz4156]

A Lockheed L-133 StarJet?

[@leftseat30]

Is there a count on exisitng P59s left in the world, and where they are? Thank you.

[@gordonbergslien30]

Six P-59's have survived. They're at Pioneer Village in Nebraska, NMUSAF, NASM, Edwards AFB, the March Field Air Museum and Planes of Fame in Chino, California. Restoration on the P-59 at POF started before l left there in 2009. Aircraft restorations take time, particularly when they involve an a/c as exotic as a P-59.

[@leftseat30]

@gordonbergslien30 thank you!! What did you do at POF?

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

There were only about 60 made !!!

[@brushitoff503]

Old hat, New hand. Cheers.

[@dogmandan79]

Ha! I was here 5hrs ago

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Hope you enjoyed it! It’s great with the steps up to the SR-71 cockpit

[@Dumbrarere]

You've been to Planes of Fame. Are you aware that they are working to get their YP-59A restored to airworthy condition for flight?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep! I tried to liaise with the POF about that but sadly all of my messages were ignored. :( Still, it'll be incredible to see it fly.

[@Dumbrarere]

@@PaulStewartAviation My older brother Christopher is a docent at POF. I can get you in touch with him, and see if he's able to work something out with regards to your next video project, should you find yourself there again.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

thanks.

[@KapiteinKrentebol]

0:46 Ooohhhhw, the YA-9?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep, the only on on display anywhere in the world. :) It’s filmed but awaiting editing

[@KapiteinKrentebol]

@@PaulStewartAviation Cool!

[@Nedski42YT]

Interesting, I see no triggers or any switches on the joystick. It looks like a simple carved piece of wood!

[@Sacto1654]

It was certainly not the perfect fighter, but the USAAF learned a lot about flying jet airplanes and how to service them with the XP-59 prototypes. Lessons that were to be applied to the P-80 and eventually the F-86.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes, the P-59 was a real learning curve.

[@Sacto1654]

@@PaulStewartAviation Mostly because the Bell engineers were just as much in the dark as the engineers at Gloster developing the Meteor, at de Havilland developing the Vampire, Lockheed at developing the P-80 and at Messerschmitt developing the Me 262. It was literally North American developing the F-86 and the MiG OKB developing the MiG-15 that finally figured out how to develop a proper jet fighter.

[@jlwilliams]

@@Sacto1654 Don't forget the Swedes with the Saab J-29 Tunnan! Of course they did have the advantage of knowing how to read technical German and had access to documents liberated by Messerschmitt engineers who escaped to Switzerland at the end of the war...

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Sacto Be advised that the First British and first German jets to fly were also only test beds and were never used in any combat either, the P59 was a test bed for early jets and was more of a fighter than either the British or German test mules. IF the P59 would have gotten the later version engines as the P80 it would be a different story !!!

[@ItsKing32]

Its not a Paul Stewart video if he cant manage to fit that video of the connie in it

[@matthewdehavilandkay8449]

@PaulStewartAviation, Can you upload me two Trip Reports Using Air Canada Please?

[@copuis]

the comment about the air intakes being on the side, is, well odd, like really really really odd every single peer aircraft had either a podded style engine, with direct intakes (metor, 262, ar 234, he 162) or had intakes like this, (p-80, vampire) the exceptions, are the test aircraft, like the glosters, or the he-178 yes, for the later generation, as in those post war fighters like the sabre this would be a correct statement but that was like 5 years post war

[@PaulStewartAviation]

The P-80 came after this jet. When this was being developed, other than the Vampire, I'm not sure of any other jets that didn't have either direct intakes in pods or intakes in the nose?

[@ArneChristianRosenfeldt]

@@PaulStewartAviationSaab and Russia had nose inlets. I wonder if an internal X pipe could alleviate problems on jaw.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

I didnt know jet was fitted with guns that jet was intended for combat not purely research.

[@mytube001]

It's such a strange design. It's like it was designed by someone who decided to completely ignore the amazing bubble canopy that all good fighters had by the end of the war. Instead they went a good decade back in time with a canopy with almost no rearward visibility and huge frames blocking the view in other directions, like the greenhouse canopies of the mid 30s. Yes, I know the design is from the early 1940s, but the P-51D was introduced in 1942 and had an excellent bubble canopy, so there's really no excuse. Ugly, squat and curved like a banana.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

mytube001 BULL$HIT !!!! The first Mustangs, through the C model were greenhouse type, the Bubble appeared on the D model, in 1943 !!!! The Bell P59 flew in 1941 !!! get your time lime $hit together !!!