Shortround6
Lieutenant General
The Airabonita had some changes. Like an extra 1 foot of wingspan and some other changes that resulted in additional 19 sq ft of wing area.
As tested the Airabonita was supposed to carry either a 37mm cannon or a .50cal firing through the prop and a pair of .30 cal guns in the fuselage.
it is questionable if the guns were ever fitted.
Which brings us to another point. As tested it may have weighed 6651lbs which is about 1000lbs lighter than most P-39s.
Getting back to the P-39 itself.
In AHT on PAGE 601 there is a list of take-off distances for 20 American fighter planes, most types have two models listed. Gross weights are given.
the P-39D-2 is listed at 1750ft and is ranked 16th. Only the P-47s, the P-61 and one version of the P-40 (a misprint?) have longer take-offs.
No navy fighter has a take-off distance over 950ft. All gross weights seem to be clean condition. No navy fighter ii ranked above 9th. The P-40E is ranked at 10 place and is the losest ranked Army fighter.
P-39Q-1 takes-off in 1650 ft and moves to 14th place.
The heavier P-63A is ranked at 15th place.
Add a drop tank or a bomb and the take-off distances are going to be longer.
WEP is just that, WAR EMERGNCY POWER. Using that level of power shortens engine life, burns fuel, and leads to more accidents while taking-off.
Special mission may require it. Using it to get planes off the flight deck as a matter of routine was not going to be in cards.
Weight can be critical. P-39Q chart shows that even with a 40mph head wind the P-39Q needed
8100lbs = 700ft
7600lbs = 550ft
7100lbs = 450ft
How much fuel and ammo do you need to leave out of the P-39 to even get the thing to be feasible on a full sized, fast carrier.
As tested the Airabonita was supposed to carry either a 37mm cannon or a .50cal firing through the prop and a pair of .30 cal guns in the fuselage.
it is questionable if the guns were ever fitted.
Which brings us to another point. As tested it may have weighed 6651lbs which is about 1000lbs lighter than most P-39s.
Getting back to the P-39 itself.
In AHT on PAGE 601 there is a list of take-off distances for 20 American fighter planes, most types have two models listed. Gross weights are given.
the P-39D-2 is listed at 1750ft and is ranked 16th. Only the P-47s, the P-61 and one version of the P-40 (a misprint?) have longer take-offs.
No navy fighter has a take-off distance over 950ft. All gross weights seem to be clean condition. No navy fighter ii ranked above 9th. The P-40E is ranked at 10 place and is the losest ranked Army fighter.
P-39Q-1 takes-off in 1650 ft and moves to 14th place.
The heavier P-63A is ranked at 15th place.
Add a drop tank or a bomb and the take-off distances are going to be longer.
WEP is just that, WAR EMERGNCY POWER. Using that level of power shortens engine life, burns fuel, and leads to more accidents while taking-off.
Special mission may require it. Using it to get planes off the flight deck as a matter of routine was not going to be in cards.
Weight can be critical. P-39Q chart shows that even with a 40mph head wind the P-39Q needed
8100lbs = 700ft
7600lbs = 550ft
7100lbs = 450ft
How much fuel and ammo do you need to leave out of the P-39 to even get the thing to be feasible on a full sized, fast carrier.
