Experimental Bell P-59

Development of the P-59, America's first jet-propelled airplane, was ordered by General H.H. Arnold on Sept. 4, 1941. The project was conducted under the utmost secrecy, with Bell building the airplane and General Electric the engine. The first P-59 was completed in mid-1942 and on Oct. 1, 1942, it made its initial flight at Muroc Dry Lake (now Edwards Air Force Base), Calif. One year later, the airplane was ordered into production.