eBay: Bell P-39 Airacobra

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P-39 Expert said:
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.
Click to expand...
Must be a D-1. Doesn't have the 12 stacks of the P-400
 
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 said:
Top speed of the P-39 wasn't even close to 500mph and it struggled to get close to 400mph
Click to expand...

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.
 
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