Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

P-63G "King Cobra"

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. P-63G "King Cobra" Marker

Inscription. This World War II fighter was developed from the P-39 Airacobra which it closely resembles. The Army Air Forces never used the P-63 in combat, although some were used for fighter training. Many P-63s were exported as lend-lease aircraft; the Soviet Union received 2,456 and Free French forces obtained 300. P-63 performance was adequate for low-level fighting and P-63s were widely used by the Soviets for such missions as: "tank busting." Bell produced 3,305 P-63s, 13 of which were -E's. The most unusual P-63 variations were the RP-63A and RP-63C "Pinball" versions developed late in World War II. These manned target aircraft were fired at by aerial gunnery students using 30 caliber wood and plastic frangible machine gun bullets which disintegrated harmlessly against the target's external skin of duralumin armor plating. Special instruments sent impulses to red lights in the nose of the "Pinball" aircraft, causing them to blink when bullets struck the plane.

This aerospace vehicle (P-63G) is a part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II.

Location. 29° 23.577′ N, 98° 37.212′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: P-51H "Mustang" (within shouting distance of this marker); P-47N "Thunderbolt" (within shouting distance of this marker); Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" (within shouting distance of this marker);

P-63G "King Cobra" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. P-63G "King Cobra" and Marker

F-100 "Super Sabre" (within shouting distance of this marker); B-57 "Canberra" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Airman 1st Class Martin Jester • Airman 2nd Class Eugene Traczyk Jr. (about 300 feet away); T-28 "Trojan" (about 300 feet away); B-52 "Stratofortress" (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Bell P-63 Kingcobra. Wikipedia

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft that was developed by Bell Aircraft during World War II. Based on the preceding Bell P-39 Airacobra, the P-63's design
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. P-63G "King Cobra" and Marker
incorporated suggestions from P-39 pilots and was superior to its predecessor in virtually all respects. The P-63 was not accepted for combat use by the United States Army Air Forces. However, it was used during World War II by the Soviet Air Force, which had also been the most prolific user of the P-39.

(Submitted on August 25, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.