XP-39 and the Claims

[GrauGeist]

Wait, this isn't p39aircraft.net??

 

[buffnut453]

Wait, this isn't p39aircraft.net??

It has been lately!

 

[Dimlee]

The use of high cover might have surprised the Luftwaffe the first time it was used, because they had little respect for the soviet's tactical thinking.

But after that do you think they wouldn't send it some aircraft at higher altitude to keep the high cover busy while other aircraft took care of the ground attack aircraft?

It's a simple concept, both sides were using high cover aircraft to cover other aircraft doing ground attack in late WW1, so the counter to that wasn't rocket science.

You seem to think people lose the ability to think when they're fighting a war.

This simple concept helped those who had the numerical advantage. Kuban Stairs were introduced when LW already had troubles with obtaining local superiority. VVS finally improved coordination and learned how to vector fighters in needed areas and fast. Typical "Stairs" formation consisted of 8 to 12 fighters. Apparently, their opponent used smaller formations most of the time.

 

[SaparotRob]

Did the VVS routinely attack targets behind the front line at altitudes above ground level?

I keep picturing squadrons of BiffF15's P-39's taxiing into battle. Post 18, Best Fixed Landing Gear Fighter.

 

[pbehn]

I keep picturing squadrons of BiffF15's P-39's taxiing into battle. Post 18, Best Fixed Landing Gear Fighter.

The altitude is for the attacking aircraft not the target.

 

[SaparotRob]

I know but my interpretation is far more amusing.
I think we all got more use out of the P-39 than the USAAC.

 

[Dimlee]

I keep picturing squadrons of BiffF15's P-39's taxiing into battle. Post 18, Best Fixed Landing Gear Fighter.

Against the German tanks. They were "tank busters" on the Eastern Front, weren't they.

 

[SaparotRob]

That would be a lot of firepower rolling down the plane at them!

 

[SaparotRob]

See what I did there?

 

[buffnut453]

See what I did there?

I was trying not to...but, like a train wreck, I couldn't look away!

 

[rinkol]

Another possible reason is that the P39 was supposed to be the latest greatest wholly uncompromised land fighter and yet had barely any superiority over a warmed-up re-engined previous generation design and an almost contemporary (but older) design labouring under the necessary compromises of carrier operation.
If the P39 had been a successful design it should have comfortably bested the P-40 and F4F at all heights on every performance metric, and had a decisive edge in combat. It didn't, as far as I am aware.

I understand that it had stalling characteristics that were worse than most other aircraft.

 

[P-39 Expert]

Another possible reason is that the P39 was supposed to be the latest greatest wholly uncompromised land fighter and yet had barely any superiority over a warmed-up re-engined previous generation design and an almost contemporary (but older) design labouring under the necessary compromises of carrier operation.
If the P39 had been a successful design it should have comfortably bested the P-40 and F4F at all heights on every performance metric, and had a decisive edge in combat. It didn't, as far as I am aware.

P-40E in green, A6M2 in red vs P-39K. F4F vs P-39K.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I understand that it had stalling characteristics that were worse than most other aircraft.

Get ready for an earful from the xpurt.

 

[P-39 Expert]

I understand that it had stalling characteristics that were worse than most other aircraft.

Good stalling characteristics, just not much warning.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Oh boy...

 

[P-39 Expert]

Oh boy...

Not exactly an earful.

 

[pbehn]

If you take all the armour and guns out of the nose you can give the pilot a written warning a week before take off.

 

[P-39 Expert]

If you take all the armour and guns out of the nose you can give the pilot a written warning a week before take off.

I think there's a joke there, but I totally missed it.

 

[glennasher]

Clams, clams and more clams........................that no one really cares about.

 

[tyrodtom]

Good stalling characteristics, just not much warning.

You evidently don't know what stalling characteristics are.
How much warning a aircraft gives before it stalls is one of the more important stall characteristics.
When you're in the middle of a dogfight, you have to have you eyes outside the cockpit, not looking at the airspeed gauge, turn and bank, etc.
A aircraft that gives you no clue it's about to depart controlled flight isn't considered to have good stalling characteristics.