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Bell P-39 Airacobra

Military Aircraft

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was a single-engine fighter that Bell Aircraft built for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Its unusual layout put the Allison engine in the middle of the fuselage behind the pilot, driving the propeller in the nose through a long shaft, and it was the first fighter fitted with a tricycle undercarriage. The design began under a 1937 Army requirement for a high-altitude interceptor, and the XP-39 prototype first flew on 6 April 1938. Without an efficient turbo-supercharger it performed poorly at altitude, so the Royal Air Force rejected it for use over western Europe, but the Soviet Union, where most air combat took place at medium and low altitudes, took thousands through Lend-Lease. Production ended in August 1944 after 9,558 had been built.

Facts
Year
1938 1
Engine Class
Piston 1
Status
Out of production 1
Power (kW)
890 1
Units Built
9558 1
Top Speed (km/h)
626 1
Mass (kg)
2956 1
Maximum Mass (kg)
3810 1
Engine
Allison V-1710-85 V-12 liquid-cooled 1
Comparison
Body Style
Aircraft (no road body style) 1
Connections

Of Make

Bell Aircraft Corporation, Networks and Operators
Source Bell P-39 Airacobra (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Manufactured By

Bell Aircraft Corporation

Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.

Source Bell P-39 Airacobra (Wikipedia)Lead, builder
Quote, Lead, builder
The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Originated In

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Source Bell P-39 Airacobra (Wikipedia)Lead, country
Quote, Lead, country
The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
Sources
1. Bell P-39 Airacobra (Wikipedia)
  • Design and development, XP-39 first flight
    The XP-39 made its maiden flight on 6 April 1938.
  • Specifications, empty weight
    Empty weight: 6,516 lb (2,956 kg)
  • Specifications, maximum takeoff weight
    Max takeoff weight: 8,400 lb (3,810 kg)
  • Specifications, maximum speed
    Maximum speed: 389 mph (626 km/h, 338 kn)
  • Design and development, production total
    When P-39 production ended in August 1944, Bell had built 9,558 Airacobras
  • Specifications, powerplant
    Powerplant: 1 × Allison V-1710-85 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,200 hp (890 kW)
  • Lead, aircraft description
    The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • Design and development, production end
    When P-39 production ended in August 1944
  • Lead, builder
    The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • Lead, country
    The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • In Group: Propeller-Driven Fighters, Lead, role of the aircraft
    The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
View the Source
Allison V-1710 (Wikipedia)
Has Part: Allison V-1710, Applications
Quote, Has Part: Allison V-1710, Applications
powering the Lockheed P-38, Bell P-39 and Curtiss P-40
View the Source
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