P-63 "The King Cobra"

Bell Aircraft developed the P-63 from the P-39 "Airacobra." The P-63 resembles the P-39 in appearance: The P-63 is over two feet longer, has two feet more wing span, and is higher, faster and heavier than the P-39. Most P-63's were sent to Russia and the Free French as lend-lease material. This particular version, nicknamed "Pinball," is heavily armored to protect the pilot. It was used, in the United States, as a piloted air-to-air gunnery target. Gunners in other aircraft fired at the RP-63's with frangible bullets, if hits were scored, red lights in the wing tips of the RP-63 would blink. A total of 227 RP-63 series aircraft were built.