Why is P-39 hated?
The P-39 centrally-mounted engine also pushed the center of gravity to the rear, making it prone to vicious spins once cannon ammunition was expended from the nose. But Royal Air Force pilots had fought many high-altitude battles with the Luftwaffe, and hated the Airacobra.
How many kills did the P-39 have?
Aleksandr Pokrysh- kin, 59 confirmed kills in P-39. Half of P-39s transferred to Soviet Union scored first US victory in Europe in WWII (Aug.
Why is P-39?
The P-39 was used by the Soviet Air Force, and enabled individual Soviet pilots to collect the highest number of kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type flown by any air force in any conflict. Other major users of the type included the Free French, the Royal Air Force, and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.
Was the P-39 a good fighter?
The P-39 Airacobra may be the least loved American fighter plane of World War II, deemed inadequate by military planners at the outset of hostilities and written off as nearly useless by many historians. It would only take a single direct hit to down an enemy airplane, and the P-39 also carried two additional .
Was the airacobra a good plane?
While the Airacobra was never one of the best airplanes, it was still a good airplane. The P-39 introduced many new innovations that would later be used on America’s first jet powered airplane, the XP-59 Airacomet. Prototype with one turbo-supercharged 1,150 hp Allison V-1710-17 engine.
Was the p63 a good fighter?
In general, official Soviet histories played down the role of Lend-Lease supplied aircraft in favor of local designs, but it is known that the P-63 was a successful fighter aircraft in Soviet service.
Why did the Soviets like the P-39?
The Soviet attitude to the P-39 was radically different. In air battles on the Eastern Front, typically at low and medium altitude, it was indispensable. The unusual design, with the engine located behind the cockpit, gave the aircraft excellent speed, maneuverability, aerodynamics, and visibility.
Why did the Soviets like the p39?
What was the Bell P-39 used for in World War 2?
The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service when the United States entered World War II. The P-39 was used by the Soviet Air Force, and enabled individual Soviet pilots to collect the highest number of kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type flown by any air force in any conflict.
Where was the P-39 Airacobra in World War 2?
U.S. Army Air Forces P-39 Airacobras from the 8th Fighter Group, flying in formation over Australia in early 1942.
Is the P-39 included in the Air Force Memorial?
Only the P-39 is not included in the fighter memorial at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. “We didn’t really know it was an unpopular airplane,” said Stephens. “We didn’t have any chance to think about that.” He remembers having a Japanese bomber in his gunsight and the cannon rounds from the P-39 falling short.
What kind of gun did the P-39 have?
Despite the fierce look of the warpaint, the P-39’s performance was unimpressive. On April 20, 1942, the 39th, 40th and 41st squadrons became part of the 35th Fighter Group. The group took the P-39 and the P-400 Airacobra, an export model with a 20 mm cannon instead of a 37 mm gun like the P-39, to New Guinea.