Bell P-39 Airacobra by Buffalo1
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Description
Couldn't find the Bell P-63 Kingcobra in my files, so I hope this photo of its older brother will do. This late model P-39Q was flown in Soviet Air Force livery by the CAF about 10 years back. (Currently it is in USAAF colors.)The early models of the P-39 didn't impress either USAAF or RAF pilots very much. The radical layout of engine behind the cockpit, car door cockpit entrance, tricycle landing gear, as well as sluggish high altitude performance caused the RAF to pass the P-39 on to the Russians. The Reds loved it because of its fine low altitude performance and firepower. Depending on the model, the Airacobra mounted either a 37mm or 20mm cannon firing through the propeller hub and 4 to 6 machine guns in the fuselage and wings. Add in the ability to carry a bomb or a drop tank and the P-39 turned out to be a very deadly ground attack fighter. Over half the 9,500 Airacobras produced served in Russia. The USAAF also saw the good points and flew the P-39 in Alaska, the Southwest Pacific, North Africa, and in training units as a transitional fighter. The P-63 Kingcobra was developed from, and replaced the P-39 on Bell assembly lines in 1944.
Comments (7)
Syrup
A nice capture! The history notes are always appreciated! :B eaver !
Vik9740
another beauty of a capture of a regal old bird
erlandpil
Nice one erland
TheRapier
Well the P-39 wasn't exactly over loved by the USAAF pilots, hence the nickname "Iron Dog". The P-39 was crippled early by a cost cutting decision by the procurement folks to omit a supercharger which basically kept it to 15,000 feet or under in altitude. This was perfect for the Russians on the Eastern front since most of the combat was 10 k or less. Not so perfect for the USAAF pilots who were dived on by everyone in more high altitude ships. Biggest problem in air to air combat was that since the P-39 carried three different gun types and calibers, i.e. cannon, .50 caliber and .30 caliber guns, each had a different bullet trajectory and rate of fire. This meant that the pilot had to decide which gun he wanted to hit the enemy with and solve for that firing solution and know that his other bullets were missing :). Not as big a problem in ground attack because if you are aiming at the ground its not so hard to hit. I think the Russians brought that down to only 2 gun calibers when they re-gunned their Lend Lease Airacobras.
Buffalo1
@Rapier: The N and Q models were manufactured with 4 .50 cals. and the cannon.
busi2ness
Indeed a great feat when these planes could adapt equally well in African as well as the cold northern climates. Very good capture.
debbielove
Great photo. Well done again. I've got one to upload of a P-39? with the hood up showing the hardware. Uploading soon... Still your work rocks and keep it up.