The Bell P-39 Airacobra

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was an innovative yet controversial fighter aircraft used during World War II. Designed around its powerful nose-mounted 37mm M4 cannon, it featured a mid-engine layout and tricycle landing gear—unusual for its time. However, its lack of a turbocharger severely limited high-altitude performance, restricting its effectiveness as an interceptor. In the Pacific and North Africa, it struggled against enemy fighters at altitude, though it performed reasonably well in ground-attack roles. The P-39’s greatest success came on the Eastern Front, where Soviet pilots utilized it in low-altitude dogfights, achieving thousands of aerial victories. Though ultimately overshadowed by superior aircraft, the P-39 played a vital role in the early war years and remains a unique example of unconventional fighter design.

00:58 Origin
01:37 Development
03:24 Specifications
04:18 Variations
08:18 British Rejection
09:15 To the Soviets
09:33 P-400's
09:49 Soviet Success
11:07 Pacific
12:04 North Africa and Med

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[Aircraft_Files]

Hi all. A redux to deal with some copyright issues, as well update with more info and my latest format. I love the Airacobra, amazing early war bird, let down by a stupid design decision, but going on to glory on the eastern front. What's not to love? Hopefully I have given its its due here.
Sorry for the slow release, but my day job has me quite busy leaving little time for this hobby of mine :-)

[raphaellubbers]

I kinda like the formal, more of a reference and primer instead of going into rabbit holes that you can't work yourself back out. (And there's always Greg and Rex for that.) Plus on the editing side, too.

[BobSmith-dknw]

One thing about the P-39 and P-400 - was that they could carry a bomb as well as a drop tank on a center mounting point.

Because of this - much of the use of these aircraft in the early Pacific was in ground attack on Guadalcanal.
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[gumpyoldbugger]

The Airacobra and its successor the Kingcobra were perfect examples of what looks like a great idea on paper not being so good in real world applications. Then later on finding its niche in operations that it wasn't originally designed for. The Typhoon was another example of that, both were meant orginally to be high altitude fighters but failed only to find their mark in the medium to low attitude role along with ground attack.

Odd you mentioned the Airacorba was phased out in favour of the P-51 Mustangs as that was another rather disappointing design when she first came out.

When it first went into service with the RAF, it's high altitude capability as a fighter was very disappointing, much like the Airacobra and was religated to the ground attack role just give it something to do.

But unlike the Airacobra, when they swapped out the original Allison V-1710 for Rolls Royce Merlins, the P-51 began to shine and realize its potential in it original role, that of a high altitude air superiourity fighter.

Pity the Airacobra never really got that chance, she was a good looking aircraft and at least the Soviets were able to maximize her utility to its fullest.

[garyhooper]

Not mentioned, U.S. would not ship any P38s or P39s with a turbo charger to England .

[patrickwentz]

I would like to know where the information for Kenneth Walsh was found? I just read his Marine Corps biography and he is credited with getting all his kills in Corsairs.

[glennhand]

It seems an odd engineering decision to move the engine weight backwards while at the same time ditching the tail wheel. I know both are good ideas, but together? Any aeronautic engineers out there?