K is for Kingcobra
Even before Dusty had fledged dream of speed. He watched the air races on TV, listened to the commentary on the radio, and read up on all the stats in the newspaper. It was an obsession that those around him indulged with a healthy dose of humor fully recognizing that while Dusty was willing to talk big, he rarely had enough courage to turn his ambition into action. So, no one was surprised when Dusty found out that one of his heroes was going to be at Oshkosh that he begged to be able to take a few days to see the racer in person.
After weeks of begging Leadbottom had finally relented and let Dusty have a long weekend to participate in the world's largest airshow, and Dusty had immediately booked his tiedown spot. He then spent the next two months talking everyone's ears off about getting to see the Tipsy Miss in person and attempting to convince everyone in town to join him on the adventure. While most of town politely refused the invitation, he was able to talk Chug into joining him.
As the calendar inched towards the day, Dusty found time started to move like molasses. His crop-dusting duties seemed to drag on forever and all Dusty could do dream of racing in person. By the time the day arrived, and the small plane flew busiest airspace on the planet Dusty had completely skyed himself out. Honestly, if he met up with Chug, the plane probably would have been nearly catatonic with anticipation. But with his friend by his side, Dusty was able to keep his anticipation under control as they wandered the vast fields of exhibits.
Then he spotted a tiny little plane sporting bright orange livery and the number 28 emblazoned on her tail. He had found her, the legendary Tipsy Miss! She was even smaller in person that Dusty had expected, but the crop-duster knew that what the Kingcobra lacked in size she more than made up in speed and maneuverability. For a few long rotors beats all Dusty could do was to watch one of his heroes in awe. He was utterly transfixed until he felt slight rap on his cowling.
"What are you waiting for!" Chug gave him another a nudge. "Go get her autograph!"
Dusty blinked a few times, then grinned. Chug was absolutely right. It was time to get in line so that he could get a little piece of history to hang up in his hangars.
Bell P-63 Kingcobra: One of the rarer American made WWII fighter planes, the Kingcobra took to the skies late in 1942. Even though it was considered to be far superior to its predecessor the P-39 Aircobra, the US decided against using the aircraft in combat. Instead most of the Kingcobras were either delivered to the Soviet Union as part of the lend lease program, were sold to the Friench air force, or used for manned flying target gunnery practice.
Post WWII the Kingcobra ended up becoming one of the most recognizable aircraft on the air racing circuit with many aircraft winning large purses and fame. As of the loss of 43-11719 as a result of an in air collision during an airshow in Dallas, Texas on November 12, 2022, there are currently four Kingcobra's still airworthy…all of which are former air racers. There are also four Kingcobras on static display in museums in the US and three that are in museum storage.