Bell P-39 Airacobra

History of the Bell P-39 Airacobra

The Bell P-39 Airacobra is another in the "what could be" category of WWII long-range aircraft research. The system has the look of a top performer, a weapon comparable to any contemporary, and a design philosophy that could usher in a whole new era of aircraft engineering. Unfortunately for the aircraft, several key requirements actually doomed the Airacobrait never quite lived up to expectations. Still, in addition to its intended role as a high-performance fighter, the system works well, being a consistent performer in low-level attack roles (excellent in combat below 10,000 feet).

It was heavily leased to the Soviets, but the British shunned it entirely - the latter pointed out that the plane (as advertised) did not have any of the capabilities the Bell prototype was selling.

P-39 Quick Tour

The design of the P-39 was generally a very pleasing aircraft, and came at a time when streamlined aircraft shapes were just beginning to take hold of their own. The P-39 was significantly different from most aircraft designed at the time and had several design elements that set the model apart from contemporaries.

Chief among them is the interior layout, with the Allison series engines mounted in the center of the fuselage, just behind the cockpit. Engineers attached an extension shaft from the engine through the center bracket under the pilot's feet to the front of the fuselage where the three-bladed propeller and reduction gear were mounted. Because of this engine placement, the engines had to be fueled through air intakes placed along the fuselage, rather than traditionally placed in the nose.

In early P-39 forms, this meant that air intakes were added to the sides of the fuselage behind the cockpit. Other forms of air intakes are installed along the root of the wing, the most obvious being the air intakes installed on the top of the fuselage.

The wings are low-mounted monoplane assemblies, and the tail is in a traditional "T-shaped" layout with a single vertical tail. The P-39 was also equipped with powered tricycle landing gear, a relatively new concept in the art of aircraft design at the time.

Airacobra emerged as an early form of the 'bubble' canopy and featured a complex canopy design that offered an unprecedented perspective on the overall design. The pilot sits in a very ergonomically designed cockpit with two automotive-style "swing doors" on either side of his seat. The windows on these doors are fully retractable via a car-like crank.

When the pilot has to leave the plane due to damage or power outage, he simply uses the lever to eject the hatch and roll to one side or the other, eventually sliding off the edge of the corresponding wing. Given enough time, he can even make controlled jumps off the edge of the wing.

France initially ordered P-39s early in the war, but was forced to delay delivery of these units as the country surrendered to a German invasion. However, you will be one of the last operators of the machine for a period of time before and after the end of the war.

The P-39 was also to be used in small amounts by the Italian Allies for some time, but the use of the Airacobra showed little sign of. Portugal detained about 18 unpredictable P-39s that landed on their soil and eventually demanded payment to the United States for these captured systems at the end of the war.

Regardless, the country is happy to add some modern warriors to their stables. Before the Japanese invasion of mainland Australia, the Royal Australian Air Force received a mix of D and F models. These were returned to the United States when the threat officially subsided.

P-39 as dog fighting

Not that the P-39 is a completely useless air combat platform - it should be pointed out that the aircraft could have fought a fair fight in the hands of an experienced pilot who knew the limitations of its systems. If the Airacobra can haul an opponent below 10,000 feet, it certainly has a chance to outsmart an enemy with wit and firepower (even the controllable friendly wargame of the legendary Vought F4U Corsairs attests to that).

In terms of performance, however, the P-39 lacks true excellence compared to the types of fighters built for the role, including the heavy Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

However, the P-39 created many aces for the Soviet Air Force, and air-to-air combat on the Eastern Front usually took place below the Airacobra's optimal 10,000-foot ceiling. The third-highest-scoring Allied ace, Aleksandr Ivanovich Pokryshkin, claimed 60 Luftwaffe casualties aboard his P-39.

Likewise, Grigori Rechkalovthe second-best ace of the Soviet Unionhas 44 such victories as a P-39 pilot. The first P-39s delivered to the Soviet Union were armed with the British-chosen 20mm Hispano-Suiza nose cannon, while later models were fitted with the more powerful, American-recommended 37mm M4 machine guns - the latter modification produced a very big difference. It is important to note here that the US does not supply M80 AP rounds for these automatic cannons through a Lend-Lease agreement. In its place were 1.2 million rounds of M54 HE shells, which proved useful against air and soft ground targets.

As such, the Soviet P-39 was not used in a dedicated "tank destroyer" role.

US P-39 in Europe

The U.S. Air Force has limited use of the P-39 in European operations. The 31st Fighter Group was formed, consisting of the 307th, 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons. The men and their mounts arrived in England in July 1942. Reacting immediately, the Airacobra proved no match for the Luftwaffe.

Of one such fighter, six of the 12 P-39s were killed in enemy action. Soon after, the USAF pulled the Airacobra out of theater and replaced the 31st Fighter Group's P-39s with tried-and-true Supermarine Spitfires. Still, the P-39 saw combat operations in support of Operation Torch landings over North Africa and Italy. These primarily fly below the 10,000-foot ceiling, deployed in close support roles and escorted by fighter jets.

No German column, troop concentration or depot was safe.

P-39 in the Canal District

The P-39 was in service in the Panama Canal area because of fears that the area was ripe for an attack from the ocean by Japanese or German submarine groups.

P-39 in the Pacific

After the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), P-39s were pushed into the Pacific Theater and engaged in their first recorded combat with the 8th Pursuit Group. This happened because the crew lacked spare parts and even lacked mechanical skills. After the first models P-39C and P-39D, the model series P-39F and P-39G were followed by Aeroproducts branded propeller systems.

Several variants of the type followed, but most revolved around different engines. The P-39 (and its crew) were exposed to the harsh tropical conditions of the Pacific

Airacobra's air and ground crews have undoubtedly demonstrated their prowess in multiple combat operations and have basically done a lot with relatively limited numbers. It is becoming increasingly clear that P-39s will soon need to be handled in the Pacific, and this is done in large part through the addition of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, which are heavily supplied to the region. In the vast Pacific Ocean, the small P-39 quickly found its range was insufficient for protracted island-hopping conflicts, so it was reasonable to replace it. The environment has also proven to be a nightmare for mechanical component maintenance and reliability.

However, the Airacobra crew continued the fight with their handsome clown machines and played a key role in protecting Australia from Japanese invasion, defending Port Moresby with a degree of ferocity.

P-39 over the Aleutian Islands

Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands near Alaska to establish submarine supply points for operations in the Northeast Pacific. The P-39 was thrown into battle, defending against great odds bravely and decisively. The weather in the region took a toll on the hapless American pilots, who were forced to wear layers of clothing and contend with the P-39's inappropriate cabin heaters.

There were many mechanical failures, and bad weather caused many accidents. However, when the opportunity presented itself, these pilots and their P-39 mounts rained down on the Japanese trying to gain a foothold on the island chain.

The targets of opportunity became airships, ships, airports and warehouses. The loss of just one P-39 destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the P-39 is exactly what it was designed to do. It lacked true combat performance due to the U.S. Army's decision to ditch the turbo and install a lower-rated Allison.

The plane was designed for high-performance fighter jets, but most of it was lost when the system was downgraded to close air support. The primary 37mm armament is the system's real strength, as downgraded machine guns don't work well with modern aircraft fitted with multiple large caliber systems and artillery combinations.

A fighter jet that was supposed to be an American solution has basically become a temporary solution for air forces around the world. Issues with the landing gear and general mechanical reliability made the system unpopular with most people, although the aircraft was still highly regarded by pilots who ignored its shortcomings. In the end, Airacobra is a snake that does lack a venomous bite in its intended role, but seems to make up for it in other ways - inside and out.

Regardless, the P-39 is considered a modest success in most circles, but only its pilots know its true value.

During her tenure, approximately 9,584 P-39 prototypes were produced, costing $50,666 per unit in 1944 currency. Production ran from 1940 to May 1944. The official release of the series began in 1941.

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