eBay: Bell P-39 Airacobra

[Snautzer01]

Web site says they belonged to Major James Olin Brewer, pilot of the 35th, donated by his son. Maybe they were press photos and he got copies

Looked like this.

RARE WW2 WWII Photos Press Proof Run Sheets Japan Landscape FULL UNCUT SHEETS | eBay

 

[P-39 Expert]

5th Air Force Bell P-39 Airacobra at Garbutt Field, Australia 1943 | eBay

View attachment 552891

Note the external racks beneath the wings (and fuselage). And it appears that one .30cal MG was removed from each wing right above the wing racks. Unusual. Has the 20mm cannon so it must be a D-1 or P-400.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!

 

[warbird51]

Note the external racks beneath the wings (and fuselage). And it appears that one .30cal MG was removed from each wing right above the wing racks. Unusual. Has the 20mm cannon so it must be a D-1 or P-400.

Must be a D-1. Doesn't have the 12 stacks of the P-400

 

[P-39 Expert]

Must be a D-1. Doesn't have the 12 stacks of the P-400

Yep.

 

[johnbr]

Bell P-39 Airacobra Bell "Airacobra" P-39 Pursuit ∙ U.S. Army Air Force

 

[Snautzer01]

THREE BELL P-39 AIRACOBRA FIGHTER PLANES IN FORMATION | eBay

 

[Wurger]

 

[Snautzer01]

1941 Press Photo Royal Air Force men studying the Airacobra plane in England | eBay

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice shot.

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

A novel shot

 

[Dan Fahey]

Just and observation about the P39.
The central location of the engine was actually brilliant.
Like in modern day super cars..
The issue not solved was the varying CG from the weapons selection in the nose.
Wing Guns limited roll rate though a useful option.

Before WW2 pilot strength was sufficient enough to muscle a fighter through maneuvers.
The central location on the P39 provided a different potentially better agility than front engine fighter.

Yet as all the fighters got faster mechanical tricks were employed to help maneuverability.
When approaching anywhere near 500 mph other things changed and the human body became the limiting factor.
So did every part made on a plane at same time and planes got heavier and faster.

It was interesting during the early air aces that the P39 and cousin P63 did so well against other late model Designs.
Kind of wonder what a souped up P39 would do today with modern upgrades?

 

[fubar57]

Top speed of the P-39 wasn't even close to 500mph and it struggled to get close to 400mph

 

[Capt. Vick]

Though it was faster than the P-40, or so I have read.

 

[Dan Fahey]

Top speed of the P-39 wasn't even close to 500mph and it struggled to get close to 400mph

Well it had to dive and figured it hit that speed quickly like most fighters.
P 39 was fairly sleek had a decent Mach Number for a straight winged fighter.
Toward end of WW2 prop planes were approaching 600 mph.
Figured our water based carbon forms began to experience its biological limits when you had make a turn.

 

[Snautzer01]

Aviation. Avion à identifier. Insigne cigogne. Cocarde. Tirage argentique, silve | eBay

 

[Wurger]

 

[Snautzer01]

Org. Photo: P-39 Fighter Plane "221" Parked on Airfield!!! | eBay

strange number BW 164

 

[P-39 Expert]

Org. Photo: P-39 Fighter Plane "221" Parked on Airfield!!! | eBay

strange number BW 164

View attachment 563878

That's one of the P-400s manufactured for Britain impressed into AAF service. Has the 20mm cannon in the nose.