Brewster F2A Buffalo or P-39 Airacobra?
- Thread starter Soundbreaker Welch?
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #22
Soundbreaker Welch?
Tech Sergeant
It had a tough time shooting down high flying bombers.
lonestarman63
Airman
Just what i have read from the subro saki is the buff is helpless
yet that might have been because of the pilots in the buffs.
And for ground support the 39 is for sure the best between the two.
yet that might have been because of the pilots in the buffs.
And for ground support the 39 is for sure the best between the two.
- Thread starter
- #24
Soundbreaker Welch?
Tech Sergeant
yet that might have been because of the pilots in the buffs.
And also perhaps, because the Zero was a very remarkable plane. It wasn't until the P-38 came along that the Allies had something that was a good match for the Zero.
And also perhaps, because the Zero was a very remarkable plane. It wasn't until the P-38 came along that the Allies had something that was a good match for the Zero.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Posted this before...
In the late Summer of 42' the 39th FS was flying P-39s and doing quite well, at that point the USAAF had about a 1.5 to 1 kill ratio over the Japanese while flying the P-39 (and P-40) some of the great Pacific P-38 aces (Danny Roberts, Buzz Wagner, Tommy Lynch) did well in the P-39. When the P-38 entered the scene, the 39th (and other units) started an effective slaughter of the Japanese in the South Pacific.
In the late Summer of 42' the 39th FS was flying P-39s and doing quite well, at that point the USAAF had about a 1.5 to 1 kill ratio over the Japanese while flying the P-39 (and P-40) some of the great Pacific P-38 aces (Danny Roberts, Buzz Wagner, Tommy Lynch) did well in the P-39. When the P-38 entered the scene, the 39th (and other units) started an effective slaughter of the Japanese in the South Pacific.
- Thread starter
- #26
Soundbreaker Welch?
Tech Sergeant
So did George Welch. But he preffered the P-38 to the P-39 for it's long range.
The 2 Aircraft were in slightly different time frames, the Buffalo entering Service testing by the USN in 1938 and squadron service in mid 1939.
The P-39 was only ordered by the USAAC in mid 1939 and production started in August 1939 so the P-39 had the benifit of the rapidly evolving technology and engines.
I think the Buffalo was a better Fighter, until wieghed down with extra armour and the 50cal replaced by .303.
But if you wanted a Fighter Bomber, the P-39 was the better machine.
The P-39 was only ordered by the USAAC in mid 1939 and production started in August 1939 so the P-39 had the benifit of the rapidly evolving technology and engines.
I think the Buffalo was a better Fighter, until wieghed down with extra armour and the 50cal replaced by .303.
But if you wanted a Fighter Bomber, the P-39 was the better machine.
P39. If you can't win the fight, at least you can survive it. With the engine behind the pilot, your odds are better. Plus, if all else fails just shove the nose down, throw the throttle against the wall and run like hell!
Don't think the buff could run away from a fight.
Don't think the buff could run away from a fight.
MP-Willow
Staff Sergeant
I would have to take the P-39 
The Russians used it quite nicely. I tink that the Jap pilots in the beginning were capable of taking on any aircft put against them.
The Russians used it quite nicely. I tink that the Jap pilots in the beginning were capable of taking on any aircft put against them.
P38 Pilot
Tech Sergeant
P-39 for me. Wasn't there a Russian Ace who got most of his kills with the P-39?
- Thread starter
- #32
Soundbreaker Welch?
Tech Sergeant
Alexander Pokryshkin was he.
Here is a painting of his fighter.
In early 1937, Bell Aircraft presented a revolutionary fighter design to the USAAC, the P-39 Airacobra. Incorporating machine guns and the most powerful cannon available, the new design by Robert Woods, utilized many revolutionary design features. The all-metal, low wing, monoplane design utilized a centrally located engine in the fuselage, a feature which enhanced maneuverability. A nine foot shaft ran through the cockpit to drive the propeller. Wood's design was the first fighter to incorporate a forward tricycle landing gear, which gave the P-39 pilot great visibility while on the ground. The first prototype flew in 1938. Equipped with a supercharged Allison water-cooled V-12 rated at 1,150-HP, the prototype performed admirably. It exhibited a top speed of 390-MPH, and an amazingly quick rate of climb. Unfortunately for the Airacobra, the USAAC decided to eliminate the supercharged engine from the project, a move which would relegate the Airacobra to the distinction of being America's forgotten fighter of WW II. Without the supercharger the P-39's performance at altitude was inferior to most of the adversaries it would face. In 1941 lend-leased Airacobras went into battle with the RAF, but were quickly withdrawn from front line duty. Many of these, and many others eventually found service with the Red Air Force. In fact the Soviets ultimately received more than half of the 9,500 aircraft produced. Alexander Pokryshkin was the second highest scoring Soviet ace of WW II with fifty-nine victories. Forty-eight of these were achieved why flying the Aircacobra. Pokryshkin was a great leader who inspired others who flew under his command. He joined the Red Air Force in 1933 and attained his first victory (over a Bf-109E) in June of 1941 while piloting a Mig-3. He was a great tactician, and a student of fighter tactics. On one occasion his unit attacked a flight of sixteen Ju-87s, and Pokryshkin bagged four. While flying in the Caucasus region he became well known to his German adversaries, who would radio, "Achtung! Der *** Pokryshkin in der luft!" when they realized he was airborne. Shot down on 4 occasions, he was made squadron commander of the elite 16th Guards IAP. Considered the father of Soviet fighter tactics, thirty pilots under his command would go on to be awarded the coveted "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal. The P-39 also was in service with several units in the Pacific early in the War. Lacking sufficient range to be used for many escort missions, and deficient in dog fighting against the superior Japanese aircraft they faced, the P-39s were relegated by the USAAC to ground attack missions. The aircraft was withdrawn from front line service as more capable P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s became available. In spite of the deficiencies of the P-39, a derivative design, the P-63 Kingcobra, was one of only nine designs evaluated by the USAAF in 1942-43 to be put into production. Although similar in appearance the P-63 was actually a totally new design. It was not produced in any great quantity, and two hundred of these aircraft were modified into "Flying Pinballs," and were used to train B-17 gunners.
Here is a painting of his fighter.
In early 1937, Bell Aircraft presented a revolutionary fighter design to the USAAC, the P-39 Airacobra. Incorporating machine guns and the most powerful cannon available, the new design by Robert Woods, utilized many revolutionary design features. The all-metal, low wing, monoplane design utilized a centrally located engine in the fuselage, a feature which enhanced maneuverability. A nine foot shaft ran through the cockpit to drive the propeller. Wood's design was the first fighter to incorporate a forward tricycle landing gear, which gave the P-39 pilot great visibility while on the ground. The first prototype flew in 1938. Equipped with a supercharged Allison water-cooled V-12 rated at 1,150-HP, the prototype performed admirably. It exhibited a top speed of 390-MPH, and an amazingly quick rate of climb. Unfortunately for the Airacobra, the USAAC decided to eliminate the supercharged engine from the project, a move which would relegate the Airacobra to the distinction of being America's forgotten fighter of WW II. Without the supercharger the P-39's performance at altitude was inferior to most of the adversaries it would face. In 1941 lend-leased Airacobras went into battle with the RAF, but were quickly withdrawn from front line duty. Many of these, and many others eventually found service with the Red Air Force. In fact the Soviets ultimately received more than half of the 9,500 aircraft produced. Alexander Pokryshkin was the second highest scoring Soviet ace of WW II with fifty-nine victories. Forty-eight of these were achieved why flying the Aircacobra. Pokryshkin was a great leader who inspired others who flew under his command. He joined the Red Air Force in 1933 and attained his first victory (over a Bf-109E) in June of 1941 while piloting a Mig-3. He was a great tactician, and a student of fighter tactics. On one occasion his unit attacked a flight of sixteen Ju-87s, and Pokryshkin bagged four. While flying in the Caucasus region he became well known to his German adversaries, who would radio, "Achtung! Der *** Pokryshkin in der luft!" when they realized he was airborne. Shot down on 4 occasions, he was made squadron commander of the elite 16th Guards IAP. Considered the father of Soviet fighter tactics, thirty pilots under his command would go on to be awarded the coveted "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal. The P-39 also was in service with several units in the Pacific early in the War. Lacking sufficient range to be used for many escort missions, and deficient in dog fighting against the superior Japanese aircraft they faced, the P-39s were relegated by the USAAC to ground attack missions. The aircraft was withdrawn from front line service as more capable P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s became available. In spite of the deficiencies of the P-39, a derivative design, the P-63 Kingcobra, was one of only nine designs evaluated by the USAAF in 1942-43 to be put into production. Although similar in appearance the P-63 was actually a totally new design. It was not produced in any great quantity, and two hundred of these aircraft were modified into "Flying Pinballs," and were used to train B-17 gunners.
P38 Pilot
Tech Sergeant
Wow. How many kills did Alexander Pokryshkin get?
MacArther
Staff Sergeant
There ya go, seems ya might have missed it (I know I did 2 times).
P38 Pilot
Tech Sergeant
How many kills did he get with the P-39?
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
P38 Pilot
Tech Sergeant
Thats amazing.
MacArther
Staff Sergeant
Wildcat
Major
I reckon I've seen that before. Do you have any info about it Mac?
Vassili Zaitzev
Master Sergeant
I'd use the P-39 on ground attack missions, just like the russians did, and if there were any stukas I could have a field day.
