On May 16th, 1942, with American fully-committed to war by now, the U.S. Army commissioned for 25 of the promising mini-fighters - given the designation of "XP-77". However, one revision called for support of a single 300lb bomb fitted under fuselage centerline for the ground attack role. Additionally, the hardpoint would have to support the carrying of a 325lb naval depth charge for hunting enemy submarines - the U-boats a great threat to American shipping along both coasts.
Additional problems were brewing when Ranger was unable to keep its V-770-9 commitment and offered the V-770-6 which was already in use with United States Navy service aircraft. While the V-770-6 engine could supply the needed 500 horsepower output, is performance dropped significantly above 12,000 feet - a detrimental quality for a fighter. The engines were not supercharged which did not help matters.
With the war progressing and the XP-77 falling further and further behind schedules (and its developmental costs rising), the U.S. Army returned to reduce their original 25-strong order to just six aircraft. With some life still being felt in the product, Bell sought to reduce the increasing weight of its little aircraft which led to the nixing of the 20mm cannon. The U.S. Army called again and reduced their order to just two aircraft - ringing the death knell for the machine. it also dropped all interest in the Ranger V-770-9 series engine.
Despite its early design start in the war, the completed XP-77 prototype did not record its first flight until April 1st, 1944. The U.S. Army had grown quite content with their stable of fighters and even Bell's interest on the product had waned as it attempted to fulfill various military orders for its other proven aircraft. When it finally did enter flight testing, the design proved a flawed one - stability issues were apparent and excessive vibrations noted along the airframe. Pilots noted a cramped and noisy cockpit and they were further restricted from conducting violent, aggressive maneuvers. Additionally, views from the pilot's seat were blocked by the long nose and the cockpit's placement behind and above the wings.
Two flyable prototypes were eventually completed and these served in testing at both Wright Field and Elgin Field. During one landing run, a prototype saw its nose leg collapse. in another flight, the aircraft entered into an uncontrollable spin, forcing the pilot to bail out -the aircraft crashed.
It was the crash that signaled the complete end to the XP-77 program and no more of it was furthered. Regardless, the Army held no need for the little aircraft anymore and the tide had finally turned in favor of the Allies. The surviving prototype was retained as a outdoor showpiece before time took its toll. From there, its weathered body was taken away and burned.
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