The story
Bell P-59 Airacomet jet fighter took flight for the first time at Muroc Dry Lake, California, United States. The test pilot was Robert Stanley. The first turbojet-driven aircraft to be built in the USA, the P-59 fighter proved unacceptable as a stable gun platform and was quickly relegated to a training role where it would provide the USAAF with a nucleus of trained jet pilots for later aircraft.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.