Bell P-39 Airacobra, 1943, 1:72 Scale Model

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service when the United States entered World War II. The P-39 was used by the Soviet Air Force, and enabled individual Soviet pilots to collect the highest number of kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type flown by any pilot in any conflict. Other major users of the type included the Free French, the Royal Air Force, the United States Army Air Forces, and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.

Designed by Bell Aircraft, it had an innovative layout, with the engine installed in the center fuselage, behind the pilot, and driving a tractor propeller via a long shaft. It was also the first fighter fitted with a tricycle undercarriage. Although its mid-engine placement was innovative, the P-39 design was handicapped by the absence of an efficient turbo-supercharger, preventing it from performing high-altitude work. For this reason it was rejected by the RAF for use over western Europe but adopted by the USSR where most air combat took place at medium and lower altitudes.

Together with the derivative P-63 Kingcobra, the P-39 was one of the most successful fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Bell.

The most successful and numerous use of the P-39 was by the Red Air Force (Военно-воздушные силы, Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily, VVS). They received the considerably improved N and Q models via the Alaska-Siberia ferry route. The tactical environment of the Eastern Front did not demand the high-altitude performance the RAF and AAF did. The comparatively low-speed, low-altitude nature of most air combat on the Soviet Front suited the P-39's strengths: sturdy construction, reliable radio gear, and adequate firepower.

The Soviets used the Airacobra primarily for air-to-air combat against a variety of German aircraft, including Bf 109s, Focke-Wulf Fw 190s, Ju 87s, and Ju 88s. During the battle of Kuban River, VVS relied on P-39s much more than Spitfires and P-40s. Aleksandr Pokryshkin, from 16.Gv.IAP (16th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment), claimed 20 victories in that campaign in a P-39.

This model represents a P-39 Airacobra flown by 88-victory ace Alexander Pokryshkin, 16 GIAP, Soviet Air Force, 1943.

This P-39 is an excellent addition to your model aircraft collection.

General characteristics:
Crew: One
Length: 30 ft 2 in (9.2 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.4 m)
Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m)
Wing area: 213 sq ft (19.8 m²)
Empty weight: 6,516 lb (2,955 kg)
Loaded weight: 7,570 lb (3,433 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 8,400 lb (3,800 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Allison V-1710-85 liquid-cooled V-12, 1,200 hp (894 kW) at 9,000 ft (using emergency power)

Performance:
Never exceed speed: 525 mph (845 km/h)
Maximum speed: 389 mph (626 km/h) at 10,000 ft (using emergency power)
Stall speed: 95 mph (152 km/h) Power off Flaps & undercarriage down
Range: 525 miles on internal fuel (840 km)
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,700 m)
Rate of climb: 3805 ft/min (19,3 m/s) at 7,400 ft (using emergency power)
Wing loading: 34.6 lb/sq ft (169 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.27 kW/kg)
Time to climb: 15,000 in 4.5 min at 160 mph (260 km/h).

Armament:
Guns:
1 × 37 mm M4 cannon in nose (firing through the propeller hub) with 30 rounds of HE-T ammunition.