Bell P-39 Airacobra
The P-39 single-seat fighter was, in all respects, a radical design for its day, and proved the adage, "Form follows function." It was designed around a 37mm T-9 cannon which, in order to maximize the airplane's forward firepower, was fitted to fire through the propeller hub. In order for the cannon to fit inside the nose, the engine was placed behind the cockpit, and drove the propeller via a long shaft which passed under the pilot's feet. The center-of-gravity shift caused by the engine's location resulted in the need for a tricycle landing gear arrangement, the first of it's kind among WWII fighters.The prototype XP-39 first flew on 6 April 1938, and after several evaluation programs, some major modifications were made to the design, resulting in the first production version, the P-39C. This production version entered service with the US Army Air Corps in 1939, but was almost immediately upgraded to the P-39D model with self-sealing fuel tanks, more guns, and larger fuel capacity.In July 1941, the Royal Air Force took delivery of the first of 675 P-39Ds (called the Model 14 by the RAF) which they had ordered the year before. Shortly after delivery, however, the RAF realized that the aircraft had minimal performance characteristics without a turbocharger, an accessory that had been deleted early in the aircraft's development. It was too late to cancel the order, and only one RAF squadron (No. 601) ever flew it operationally. Over 250 of the others were sent to Russia, about 200 more were transferred to the US Army Air Force in Britain, and another 200 or so were sent back to America and designated as P-400s.At least eight additional variants were later built. Most changes to the original design involved new engines and propellers, but otherwise the airframe remained very much the same over its production life. The P-39N and P-39Q were built for the Russian air force under the Lend-Lease military assistance program, and 4,773 Airacobras were delivered to Russia by American and Russian ferry pilots. Seven P-39s were designated as the F2L and used as US Navy target drones. The Airacobra served successfully in the ground-attack role in North Africa, and in the Pacific theater, until more powerful fighters began replacing it in 1944. Other nations which acquired P-39s included Portugal, France, and Italy. The Airacobra, though hampered by its lack of a turbocharger, was a very satisfactory low-altitude attack airplane, and served as faithfully as any other combat aircraft.
Channel: Autos & Vehicles
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: auldm
Length: 08:26
Rating: 4.63
Views: 28013
Tags: Airacobra Aircraft Aviation Bell Duxford P-39 USAAC USAAF Warbird WW2
Video Comments
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militarymania (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
very clean lines,,sleek air craft
alpointru (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Yes! Working war horse on the Eastern Front. Russian pilots fly in it was particularly enthusiastic about its weapons and high-quality radio. Russian ace Pokryshkin flew on the plane and shot down by years of war 116 Germans.Thanks for nice video!
USAF95 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Very Unique
devil952 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
gotta love Bell's innovative design
KleineHansel (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
funky song for a funky plane
Oso1G (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
should be flying a US designed plane, sorry.
Oso1G (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
And to think the highest scoring ace flying an USAAF plane was a russkie in a p39.
nashi55 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
That's right. Bell felt it was the best way to meet the US Army's requirements. It put the engine on the CG, and allowed for the 37mm cannon. The shaft was 10 ft long, in two pieces with a bearing in the middle. It connected to a reduction gearbox in the front, allowing the 37 mm to fire through the prop hub.Bell used the Allison and long shafts on their Model 1 XFM-1 pusher desgin.
MikeChambers1001 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Did anyone notice the engine looks to be mounted BEHIND the pilot.... I believe they were built that way to counterbalance and allow for all the armament in the nose (guns ,cannon ammo ect..)....they had a LONG driveshaft that coupled the rearward mounted engine through the fuselage to the prop ....Mike
nashi55 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
It was designed long before the lessons of WWII. The Airacobras were intended to meet the Army's requirement for a high altitude interceptor. Bell, the Army, and Allison all wanted to delete the turbos, since they were unproven and causing delays. They thought the single-stage mechanical surpercharger would be enough. Nobody realized then, that years later in combat that decison would to cause such problems. The P-39 was a fine aircraft when you look at all of the facts and put it context. |
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