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
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) Maximum Mass (kg) EngineAllison V-1710-85 V-12 liquid-cooled 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Of Make
Source Bell P-39 Airacobra (Wikipedia)
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.
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