United States' Bell P-39 Airacobra¹

Bell P-39 Airacobra:

Bell P-39 Airacobra used by the Soviets:

Bell P-63 Kingcobra and Bell P-39 Airacobra used by the Soviets:

Design

The engine was located behind the pilot's seat with the drive shaft running under the pilot's seat.¹

It also had a tricycle undercarriage which was a first for a operational fighter.¹

A 37 mm gun was located in the propeller nose.¹

The P-39's pilot was well protected by armor.¹ The cockpit door opened similarly to a car door.¹

Made it's first flight on April 6, 1939.¹

Variants

• Naval XFL-1: Naval variant with a tail wheel and arrester hook. Wasn't successful in trials.¹
• V-Tail: Experimental tail that had combined elevator and rudder functions.¹ Reduced the P-39's handling.¹
• XP-39E: It had a square tail which was similar to a P-51.¹ Powered by an Allison V-1710-47.¹

Usage

The RAF tested the P-39 but it didn't perform up to the standards of the British fighters at the time.¹ However, 675 were ordered, but only one squadron received them.¹

The United States needed to use any available fighters against Japan in 1942 and 1943 and in the early combat in the Middle East.¹

Approximately 5,000 were supplied to the Russians and they were nick named "Shaving" as it was slang for ground strafing.¹ It was well liked for its ability to destroy German vehicles.¹

Some French and Italian pilots (of the Italian co-belligerent Air Force in 1944) also flew the P-39.¹

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004