Bell P-63A Kingcobra: The Bell P-63A Kingcobra did not gain much appreciation in American hands, but when operated by Soviet pilots on the Eastern Front against Axis forces, it was highly praised. This example was flown at Langley by the NACA in the latter months of 1943.

Bell P-63A Kingcobra

Bell XP-39 Airacobra: The Army's XP-39 Airacobra in flight over Langley Field, 1943. The pilot of the cobra sat on the front end of the gearbox with the engine behind him and the propeller shaft passing underneath his legs. The P-39 was one of the first military airplanes with tricycle landing gear.

Bell XP-39 Airacobra

North American XP-51 Mustang: The North American XP-51 Mustang was the first aircraft to incorporate an NACA laminar-flow airfoil. This is the second XP-51, which arrived at Langley in March 1943.