The Bell P-39 Airacobra 

The P-39 was my favorite plane to build as a model builder back in the '70s. It was so streamlined, interesting features, and so little was published about it. That last view seeing the rear view within the cockpit is something I never saw before! Thanks.

is this the ex reno airacobra?

Love these and I fit in the cockpit perfectly with everything where it should be. Sleek, compact, & fast. Plus it looks great on the outside.

I never had a clue that it even existed. Guess I will have to visit the Air Zoo before the snow falls

That camouflage scheme and markings are exactly what Monogram models used in its product. It was based on the Airacobras used in Guadalcanal, though the paint job originated with the British.

I read something, the soviets used the p39 mainly for ground attack Was not a very good fighter unless flown by very experienced pilots

imho most beautiful wwii plane reminds me modern racing cars like formula 1, beloved by soviets but its prone to flat spin became for some pilots fatal and also after spending all nose cannon ammo its ballance became worse

Kinda forgetting about the Lockheed P-38 Lightning aren't we?

Soviets kinda tuned their Cobras ... removing the wing guns and sometimes replacing the main cannon for 20MM. Made the hing much lighter and agile.

i dont understand how plane is ballanced if third wheel in on opposite side than the engine in both configurations

I know this plane served in nearly every theater at some time and was used well by the Soviets. But are you sure it scored more downed planes than any other U.S. made fighter ?

@AirZoo Is there a crime to revealing where in Hades your Air Zoo is located? Not a mention anywhere! We have an Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Being that all of you are speaking with a Scottish accent, I'd venture that you are not in Kalamazoo.

That was not the first fighter with tricycle landing. The p38 lightning also had tricycle landing carriage. Both were conceived around the same year. Still a good plane. What someone should do, is put in a turbo jet engine! Now that would be amazing!

37mm

If you like the P-39, look for two books ("Nanette" and "Angels Twenty", recommend reading them in that order) by Edwards Park, who flew the P-39 in New Guinea.

car doors

The Russians loved it for the nose cannon.

Apparently the American Army Air Force ordered the aircraft without the turbo super-charger 'cause they didn't want to spend the extra bucks - then turned around and griped about the aircraft's lack of high altitude performance. - Sometimes you can't win.

It's a crying shame that so few Allison-engined applications included a turbosupercharger, as did the P-38. Many of these other war birds, like this P-39, could've been much more highly regarded and useful against bandits encountered. The Merlin made use of a better-designed supercharger, thus guaranteeing the performance and reputation of the P-51. The Allison just couldn't make use of the fighting altitudes of the bandits it tried to counter. The P-38 could master the altitudes and horsepower, but required much techno-wizardry to get the most out of it. Fiddly, as the Brits would say. By the time most pilots learned and accomplished all the finessing required, it was time to rotate out of the squadron.

Cobra stochka, sweet little cobra is what they called it. and performed well in soviet hands.

❤

You.. point out something ... very relevant and widely unknown.. with its success as a u...s... built fighter... in any conflict ... with any air force..... with car doors ... and crank widow.s.... tricycle wheel.s ... big guns and small ones.... unique engine placement... just add turbo off a damaged lightning... what.s, not to like... its nice to hear it the way it is sometimes... thank.s man have a, great day...

Great video! I have never heard of the museum. Looks super cool.

How did they set the gun inside the propeller? Is there any animated video about P-39?

Beautiful fighter !