Bell P-39 Airacobra

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Bell P-39 Airacobra

The P-39 Airacobra was the first US Army Air Force fighter with a tricycle landing gear, and was also unique for having its engine placed behind the pilot towrds the middle of the aircraft. Other interesting features included a 37mm cannon firing through the propeller hub, and access to the cockpit via a door in the fuselage (as opposed to a moveable canopy). While not talked about as an air to air fighter as much as others, the P-39 served well as a ground attack aircraft, especially in the lend-lease versions provided to the Soviet Union. About 200 P-39s originally designated for export to Britain were kept by the USAAF, and were known as P-400s.

Type: Fighter

Crew: 1 (Pilot)

Armament: one 37mm T9 20mm cannon,

two .50 cal machine guns,

four .30 cal machine guns

Specs:

Length: 30' 2" (9.19 m)

Height: 11' 10" (3.61 m)

Wingspan: 34' 0" (10.36 m)

Weight: 8850 lbs (4013 kg)

Propulsion:

Engine: 1

Powerplant: Allison V-1710-35

1150 hp

Performance:

Range: 350 miles (563 km)

Max Speed: 360 mph (579 km/hr)

Ceiling: 31900 ft (9722.6 m)

(Soviet P-39)


	Classic Combat Aircraft \| home Bell P-39 Airacobra The P-39 Airacobra was the first US Army Air Force fighter with a tricycle landing gear, and was also unique for having its engine placed behind the pilot towrds the middle of the aircraft. Other interesting features included a 37mm cannon firing through the propeller hub, and access to the cockpit via a door in the fuselage (as opposed to a moveable canopy). While not talked about as an air to air fighter as much as others, the P-39 served well as a ground attack aircraft, especially in the lend-lease versions provided to the Soviet Union. About 200 P-39s originally designated for export to Britain were kept by the USAAF, and were known as P-400s. Type: Fighter Crew: 1 (Pilot) Armament: one 37mm T9 20mm cannon, two .50 cal machine guns, four .30 cal machine guns Specs: Length: 30' 2" (9.19 m) Height: 11' 10" (3.61 m) Wingspan: 34' 0" (10.36 m) Weight: 8850 lbs (4013 kg) Propulsion: Engine: 1 Powerplant: Allison V-1710-35 1150 hp Performance: Range: 350 miles (563 km) Max Speed: 360 mph (579 km/hr) Ceiling: 31900 ft (9722.6 m) (Soviet P-39)