Watch the Rare P-63 Kingcobra “Miss Betty” Take Flight After Restoration

A Fighter Revisited

In 2018, aviation enthusiasts witnessed a rare sight: the Bell P-63 Kingcobra known as “Miss Betty” returned to the skies only a year after its restoration. This fighter, once produced during the Second World War, stood as one of the least common aircraft of its time. While thousands of machines filled the air during that conflict, the Kingcobra was unusual in both design and use. Today, very few remain, making “Miss Betty” a valuable piece of preserved history.

The Kingcobra was originally developed as an answer to the earlier Bell P-39 Airacobra, which had shown weaknesses in combat. Engineers sought to correct issues with performance at higher altitudes and to refine the handling of the aircraft. The result was the P-63, which entered service later in the war. Although American forces used it mainly for training, the aircraft played a greater role abroad, where hundreds were supplied to allied nations.

Technical Improvements and Service

The Kingcobra carried a more powerful engine than the P-39 and a redesigned wing structure that gave it steadier control. Its 37 mm cannon mounted through the propeller hub offered heavy firepower, unusual for single-engine fighters of the period. These adjustments made it an improved machine, though it arrived too late to change the overall shape of aerial combat.

Instead, the P-63 became best known for its use by other countries. The Soviet Union, for instance, flew the type extensively, finding it reliable for ground attack missions and escort work. In contrast, American squadrons employed it largely in stateside training roles, where it served to prepare pilots for more advanced aircraft. This uneven service record explains why surviving Kingcobras are so uncommon today.

Preserving a Rare Aircraft

“Miss Betty” now resides at the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia. The group maintains and flies historic aircraft to keep their stories alive. The P-63’s return to flight allows modern audiences to see and hear a machine that once represented innovation in wartime aviation.

Keep going for the video below: