| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 45-57295 |
| Alternate Serial: | 557295 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Bell P-63 Kingcobra |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Bell P-63 Kingcobra |
| Aircraft Version: | Bell QF-63G Kingcobra |
| C/n (msn): | [ 45-57295 ] |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Area: | San Antonio / Lackland AFB [ Off-Airport ]Map |
| Region / Country: | Texas, United States |
| Collection: | USAF History and Traditions Museum |
| Photo Date: | 9 October 1979 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 868045 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Originally built as a P-63 fighter, later converted to RP-63G and then re-designated as QF-63G in 1948. These were used as manned live-fire targets in which a pilot would fly the Kingcobra while bomber gunners fired special frangible lead and plastic bullets at it. The aircraft's skin was reinforced and fitted with over a hundred microphones. When a bullet hit the aircraft, a light in the propeller hub would flash and a counter in the cockpit registered, earning it the nickname "Pinball" This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 17 November 2025, and has since been viewed 107 times. |