Bell P-63 Kingcobra aircraft flying over Great Falls, Montana.  A much improved 
version of the P-39 Airacobra, the Kingcobra was larger, faster and could carry a 
larger weapon load to a higher altitude while maintaining the close ground 
support mission, which was the primary role of the aircraft.  Bell Aircraft 
Corporation built 3300 of the Kingcobras from September 1942 to 1945.  Most of 
the planes were supplied to the USSR under Lend-Lease, and 2397 were delivered 
over the Alaska-Siberia route.  The aircraft, with internal and external fuel tanks, 
had a ferry range of 2200 miles. 

Visible in the background of the photo is the Missouri River, Black Eagle Dam 
and the Anaconda Company Smelter and smokestack.  The Great Falls High School
is in the left foreground.  Northeast of the High School, on the corner of 
20th Street South and 2nd Avenue South is the house where Charles Glover
and his family lived. 

Photo courtesy of the Cascade County Historical Society