{"product_id":"p-59-stars-stripes-structured-twill-cap","title":"P-59 Stars \u0026 Stripes Structured Twill Cap","description":"The Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first American-built jet aircraft to fly, marking an important milestone in United States aviation history. Developed in secrecy during the Second World War, the first XP-59A briefly became airborne during high-speed taxi testing on Oct 1ˢᵗ, 1942, at Muroc Army Air Field in California, with its official first flight conducted the following day. Designed by Bell Aircraft, it was powered by two General Electric turbojets developed from British Frank Whittle engine technology.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDespite its historical importance, the Airacomet delivered disappointing performance. Depending on the variant, its maximum speed was generally around 410 to 415 mph, offering little advantage over the best piston-engined fighters of the period. It suffered from poor acceleration, limited range and sluggish handling, leaving it unsuitable for operational combat. During early testing, personnel fitted a dummy propeller to the nose while the aircraft was on the ground and covered its air intakes and exhausts to conceal its jet propulsion system from unauthorised observers.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe P-59 never saw combat or entered regular operational fighter service. Instead, it was used for evaluation, training and familiarising United States Army Air Forces and Navy personnel with jet aircraft. Some production aircraft also served with the 412th Fighter Group, the first American jet fighter unit.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA total of 66 Airacomets were built, comprising three XP-59A prototypes, 13 YP-59A service-test aircraft, 20 P-59As and 30 P-59Bs. Although it was not an effective combat fighter, the Airacomet provided valuable operational experience and technical data that supported the development and introduction of more capable American jet aircraft, including the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star.\u003cbr\u003e\n","brand":"I Love a Hangar","offers":[{"title":"Dark Navy \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520245543,"sku":"3638217_5278","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dark Navy \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520278311,"sku":"3638217_5279","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520311079,"sku":"3638217_5276","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520343847,"sku":"3638217_5277","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Royal Blue \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520376615,"sku":"3638217_5286","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Royal Blue \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520409383,"sku":"3638217_5287","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520442151,"sku":"3638217_5288","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520474919,"sku":"3638217_5289","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Olive \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520507687,"sku":"3638217_15901","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Olive \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520540455,"sku":"3638217_15902","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dark Grey \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520573223,"sku":"3638217_5280","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dark Grey \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520605991,"sku":"3638217_5281","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520638759,"sku":"3638217_5282","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520671527,"sku":"3638217_5283","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Khaki \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520704295,"sku":"3638217_5292","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Khaki \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520737063,"sku":"3638217_5293","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640520769831,"sku":"3638217_5274","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640520802599,"sku":"3638217_5275","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/1219\/8232\/files\/closed-back-structured-cap-khaki-front-6a55a82ba3f3c.jpg?v=1783998530","url":"https:\/\/iloveahangar.com\/products\/p-59-stars-stripes-structured-twill-cap","provider":"I Love a Hangar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}