Looks like that's where the canopy came from. :)
Old Wombat: That was my first thought, too. The Model-3 canopy concept was recycled for the Model-32/XP-77 lightweight fighter but, I was surprised to discover, the two canopies were quite different in shape
Jon: Thanks for that. Interesting that your Putnam 3-view shows a spinner and an undercarriage very much like the RW P-39. The drawing I was working from must have been of an earlier incarnation -- all of the wheels were much bigger.
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Bell had planned an export version of its Model-3
Airacobra. The hybrid Bell Export Model-3 featured the lighter-weight undercarriage of the unbuilt Bell Model-3D but lacked that design's turbosupercharger. Armed with a 37mm Colt-Oldsmobile cannon, thi concept was offered to the French purchasing commission as a
chasse d'assaut. Designated Model-3F, Bell proposed the name
Bélier (
Battering Ram).
Armée de l'Air inspectors were nonplussed by the Model-3F which was privately dubbed '
Baleneau' (the '
Whale Calf').
No-one was surprised when the French declined the Model-3F but the purchasing commission saw greater potential in another as-yet unflown Bell design - the more conventional Model 14.
Armée de l'Air personnel viewed the near complete Model 14 as its Allison V-1710C engine was first being installed. The Model 14 was going to be a well-protected aircraft (with armour glass in front and behind the pilot) but also an expensive one. To reduce cost and increase commonality, it was decided to substitute a French powerplant.
The first prototype Model-14 (NX-3970) flew from Buffalo Airfield at Cheektowaga in the beginning of September 1938. Overall, the aircraft was a success but there were 'bugs' to work out. The Model-14 had been designed for the Allison V-1710F but this engine, with its higher thrust-line was not available in time. Instead, the prototype was fitted with a V-1710C making taxiing tricky for test pilots. The 'cut back' carburetor intake also caused engine surging although this was easily remedied by extending the intake forward.
Unexpectly high drag caused by the twin radiator ducts was harder to fix. In the end, a completely new belly duct had to be designed. A bigger problem was Bob Woods' beautifully-shaped canopy. Designed to slide forward during take-off and landing, this canopy had a tendency jam or even to jump its track. More importantly, the forward-siding canopy was completely unacceptable to the potential customer - the
Armée de l'Air.
(Top) The first prototype Bell Model-14 'Export Fighter' with its long-nose Allison V-1710C engine.
Work on the second Model 14 was delayed to incorporate improvements to the first prototype. As a result, the second prototype was not completed until April 1939. The French had organized for a Czech-built Avia HS-12Ydrs engine to be delivered to Bell but this engine had been seized by occupying German authorities. So, the second prototype had to be shipped to Marseille without an engine. The Model-14F was sent on to the
Base de Stockage at Istres where the fighter was fitted with a French-built Hispano-Suiza 12Y-21.
Acceptance trials were flown by CEMA (
Centre d'Expérimentation du Matériel Aérien) at Villacoublay in November 1939. By that time, a modest test armament of twin synchronized 7.5mm FN-Browning mle 1938 machine guns was installed (for no 20mm
moteur-canon could be spared from operational aircraft). Overall, the Model-14F performed well but the CEMA report recommended that machine gun armament be moved to the wings to provide uncluttered access to the planned HS.404
moteur-canon and its feed drum.
(Bottom) The second prototype Bell Model-14F in French colours during Villacoublay acceptance trials with the
Armée de l'Air's CEMA (
Centre d'Expérimentation du Matériel Aérien).
With recommended changes incorporated, the Model-14F-1 entered production at Bell's Elmwood plant. To be continued ...
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