Bell XFM-1 Airacuda

The Bell XFM-1 Airacuda was an experimental "bomber destroyer" and the first military aircraft built by the Bell Aircraft Corporation. Radical for its time, this twin-engine monoplane carried its two Allison V-1710 engines in pusher configuration at the rear of large nacelles, each fronted by a gunner's station housing a 37 mm cannon. The five-man crew and heavy armament were intended to let the Airacuda intercept and destroy enemy bombers at long range.

The prototype first flew on 1 September 1937. Despite its futuristic appearance, the design proved disappointing: it was slower and less maneuverable than expected, suffered persistent engine-cooling and mechanical problems, and the pusher arrangement raised crew-escape concerns. Only thirteen production YFM-1 variants followed the single XFM-1, and none saw combat. The Airacuda is remembered as one of the more unusual aviation experiments of the late 1930s.