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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: P-39 AiraCobra
Date: 25 Jun 2016 17:32:35 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_P-39_Airacobra
The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in
service when the United States entered World War II. The P-39 was used with
great success by the Soviet Air Force, which scored the highest number of
individual kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type.[N 2] Other major users of
the type included the Free French, the Royal Air Force, the United States Army
Air Forces, and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.[5]
Designed by Bell Aircraft, it had an innovative layout, with the engine
installed in the center fuselage, behind the pilot, and driving a tractor
propeller via a long shaft. It was also the first fighter fitted with a tricycle
undercarriage.[6] Although its mid-engine placement was innovative, the P-39
design was handicapped by the absence of an efficient turbo-supercharger,
limiting it to low-altitude work. As such it was rejected by the RAF for use
over western Europe and passed over to the USSR where performance at high
altitude was less important.[why?]
Together with the derivative P-63 Kingcobra, the P-39 was one of the most
successful fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Bell
The Airacobra saw combat throughout the world, particularly in the Southwest
Pacific, Mediterranean and Russian theaters. Because its engine was equipped
with only a single-stage, single-speed supercharger, the P-39 performed poorly
above 17,000 feet (5,200 m) altitude. In both western Europe and the Pacific,
the Airacobra found itself outclassed as an interceptor and the type was
gradually relegated to other duties.[6] It often was used at lower altitudes for
such missions as ground strafing.
The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft developed by Bell
Aircraft in World War II from the Bell P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct
that aircraft's deficiencies. Although the P-63 was not accepted for combat use
by the United States Army Air Forces, it was successfully adopted by the Soviet
Air Force.
Specifications (P-39Q)
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 30 ft 2 in (9.2 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.4 m)
Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m)
Empty weight: 6,516 lb (2,955 kg)
Loaded weight: 7,570 lb (3,433 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 8,400 lb (3,800 kg)
ft (using emergency power)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 525 mph (845 km/h)
Maximum speed: 389 mph (626 km/h) at 10,000 ft (using emergency power)
Stall speed: 95 mph (152 km/h) Power off Flaps & undercarriage down
Range: 525 miles on internal fuel (840 km)
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,700 m)
Rate of climb: 3805 ft/min (19,3 m/s) at 7,400 ft (using emergency power)
Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.27 kW/kg)
Time to climb: 15,000 in 4.5 min at 160 mph (260 km/h).
Armament
Guns:
HE-T ammunition.
rounds per gun
gun
Bombs: Up to 500 lb (230 kg) of bombs under wings and belly
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