XP-39 II - The Groundhog Day Thread

GregP · Nov 12, 2020

Thanks, Stig1207. Nice sites. Unfortunately, it seems that Tony Wood's site is no longer up.

I can find Jan Safarik's site, and Tony seems to be his main source.

It DOES take some Excel time to turn that data into useful tables! I have a lot, but getting it all cross referenced so it is useful takes a LOT of time and effort. And I'm missing some rather vital data I'll likely never find. If it hasn't surfaced by now, it may never surface.

Even the Maxwell AFB site had been down more than 10 years ... at least for victory credits. And ... if you can get them, they are missing some data.

Cheers.

buffnut453 · Nov 12, 2020

GregP said:
Not that the U.S.A didn't have wierd and ugly airplanes:
View attachment 601586

We DID! It has a face that would make a train want to take a dirt road on a rainy night. Note the not-quite-fully-enclosed nosewheel. That is so it can double as a big wheelbarrow?

The fellas in the cockpit are all looking towards the camera...it's almost as if they're saying "Can we come out now? We PROMISE to be good!!!"

Actually, as ugly as that aircraft is, I'm surprised the aircrew don't have paper bags over their faces to hide their embarrassment.

Stig1207 · Nov 12, 2020

GregP said:
Thanks, Stig1207. Nice sites. Unfortunately, it seems that Tony Wood's site is no longer up.

I can find Jan Safarik's site, and Tony seems to be his main source.

It DOES take some Excel time to turn that data into useful tables! I have a lot, but getting it all cross referenced so it is useful takes a LOT of time and effort. And I'm missing some rather vital data I'll likely never find. If it hasn't surfaced by now, it may never surface.

Even the Maxwell AFB site had been down more than 10 years ... at least for victory credits. And ... if you can get them, they are missing some data.

Cheers.

Try this for Tony Wood #17

XBe02Drvr · Nov 12, 2020

GregP said:
Perhaps it would have made a good "American Meteor."

Wonder if it would have faster or slower than the F.9/40?

"Does it have roundels?"
"No, star and bar."
"Ergo, overweight and underspeed, old chap!"

MIflyer · Nov 12, 2020

I found that jet P-39 in an article on the P-59. That was the first design..

Now, if you really want an innovative design for a version of the P-39, look at this night fighter modification. Who needs that old cannon?

Peter Gunn · Nov 12, 2020

buffnut453 said:
And that's another reason to disengage from the fight.

Did you see what I did there?

Ok...I'll get my coat!

In the "Likes" bar we need one of these -->

Peter Gunn · Nov 12, 2020

MIflyer said:
I found that jet P-39 in an article on the P-59. That was the first design..

Now, if you really want an innovative design for a version of the P-39, look at this night fighter modification. Who needs that old cannon?

View attachment 601608

Is this a "Just for the hell of it" experiment? What could they possibly think this would accomplish?

special ed · Nov 12, 2020

It would most definitely out climb the meteor at all altitudes. And be faster without the radio.

MIflyer · Nov 12, 2020

It's pretty obvious that if Larry Bell thought that P-39's could be sold as washing machines or refrigerators that we would have versions addressing those missions as well.

Pity that poor radar operator. Barf city! And I wondered how the guy in the nose of the Droopsnoot or ECM versions of the P-38 felt.

vikingBerserker · Nov 12, 2020

Not a bad design, the exhaust stacks would be out of the way but I dont think that's a very comfortable position to be in on extended flights.

BiffF15 · Nov 12, 2020

vikingBerserker said:
Not a nad design, the exhaust stacks would be out of the way but I dont think that's a very comfortable position to be in on extended flights.

Well it didn't hold much gas (not going to be stuck in there for long), part of it's better performance. Just like the 109 & 190.

Cheers,
Biff

XBe02Drvr · Nov 12, 2020

MIflyer said:
Now, if you really want an innovative design for a version of the P-39, look at this night fighter modification. Who needs that old cannon?

With the droopsnooter and electronics out front as ballast, you can play schrage musik from behind the engine. Just remember to jettison your radar operator as you approach the end of your symphony to stay in CG!

XBe02Drvr · Nov 12, 2020

MIflyer said:
Pity that poor radar operator. Barf city! And I wondered how the guy in the nose of the Droopsnoot or ECM versions of the P-38 felt.

Especially since he'd have to pull the hood closed inside the glass nose when stalking a target to keep scope glow from alerting enemy gunners. Better have stomach acid resistant electronics! The "hell hole" for sure.

GregP · Nov 12, 2020

Maybe they could figure out a way so the two guys could change seats and wouldn't be so bored with mundane missions. At least dual controls (sidestick, anyone?).

I'm still trying to figure out how a radar, a seat, and a guy in front are as heavy as a 37 mm cannon and two 50-cal MG with ammunition. Maybe they only let fat guys be radar operators to keep the airplane within CG limits.

I've also seen the inside of the nose with the driveshaft in there. Ain't much room for your necessary parts with the shatf running right up the middle, and you'd better pray it never has a bearing failure!

XBe02Drvr · Nov 12, 2020

GregP said:
I'm still trying to figure out how a radar, a seat, and a guy in front are as heavy as a 37 mm cannon and two 50-cal MG with ammunition.

If you ever saw my uncle's ham radio transmitter, a WWII airborne HF unit "tweaked" to 1KW, you wouldn't wonder. It could have served as a storm anchor for USS Enterprise.

vikingBerserker · Nov 12, 2020

I think it would have been better having him behind the pilot, back to back.

P-39 Expert · Nov 12, 2020

vikingBerserker said:
I think it would have been better having him behind the pilot, back to back.

Finally something we can agree on, this POS was DOA.

BiffF15 · Nov 12, 2020

vikingBerserker said:
I think it would have been better having him behind the pilot, back to back.

AKA He-219 IIRC...

GrauGeist · Nov 12, 2020

BiffF15 said:
AKA He-219 IIRC...

Yep, back-to-back layout.

vikingBerserker · Nov 12, 2020

Or take the Russian twin fuselage idea and put him in the other one.

XP-39 II - The Groundhog Day Thread

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