Read an account from a post-war, yes post-war, pilot who must have flown one of the last in existence and he said if the plane was any shorter, the fuselage would spin around the propeller!
Republic P-43 Lancer (s/n unknown) assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group at Langley Field, VA. A 2nd Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Squadron North American BT-9 (a/c Nð 79) is visible in the background. The pilot of the P-43 is posed standing next to the aircraft wearing his flight gear.