P-39 Airacobra Identity

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Robert Hurst
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P-39 Airacobra Identity

#1

Post by Robert Hurst » 31 Dec 2004, 15:04

Hi

Can anyone please help me to identify which model of P-39 Airacobra is shown in the attached pic.

I look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks in advance.

Regards

Bob
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The pic shows a P-39 Airacobra in Soviet markings on display at Rechlin.
untitled.jpg (101.61 KiB) Viewed 1249 times

ChristopherPerrien
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#2

Post by ChristopherPerrien » 31 Dec 2004, 20:39

Obviously a late or post war picture, I venture to guess it is a P-39N as that was the most common one used by the USSR and I doubt many of the earlier models were around in 1945 or after.


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Andy H
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#3

Post by Andy H » 31 Dec 2004, 21:19

Hi Christopher & Robert

Why are these P39 Airacobra's and not say P63 Kingcobra's?

If they are the former I would guess there Q versions, given that out of 9588 built, some 4,000 were Q versions.

Andy H

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#4

Post by Orzel Bialy » 01 Jan 2005, 04:10

Andy, you are correct in stating it is most likely a "N" or "Q" version.

The plane in the picture does not have a mast behind the intake scoop...which all pre "L" model P-39's did. 8) That rules out the earlier versions.

As for it being a P-63 Kingcobra, I don't think it is likely...I believe those were manufactured with a four blade prop unit and the plane in the picture has only three blades.

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Andy H
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#5

Post by Andy H » 01 Jan 2005, 14:11

Hi Orzel

As always your right, only 3 propos visable.

Out of 3303 built 2421 went to Russia, whilst around 300 were sent to th FF Air Force. The USAAF never used the plane in combat, and its 332 were used as armoured drones I believe

Andy H

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#6

Post by Skufr » 19 Feb 2005, 11:37

My guess would be a P-400, perhaps even an Airacobra Mk.I. The most distinctive identifying feature should be the 12 short exhaust stacks, but these can be seen on pictures of of D´s and F´s as well. I haven´t seen them on later models though.

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#7

Post by Skufr » 19 Feb 2005, 17:33

Orzel Bialy wrote:The plane in the picture does not have a mast behind the intake scoop...which all pre "L" model P-39's did. 8) That rules out the earlier versions.
It´s more or less the other way around, isn´t it ? The mast behind the intake scoop was quite common on both the K, L, N and Q variants, although they were sometimes replaced by a ventral loop aerial. Some of the P-400´s had a mast behind the intake scoop as well, but I would say that the lack of a mast in general rules out the later versions. My money is still on the P-400, but it might very well be a D or an F.

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Cantankerous
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity

#8

Post by Cantankerous » 02 Jun 2023, 21:41

Skufr wrote:
19 Feb 2005, 17:33
Orzel Bialy wrote:The plane in the picture does not have a mast behind the intake scoop...which all pre "L" model P-39's did. 8) That rules out the earlier versions.
It´s more or less the other way around, isn´t it ? The mast behind the intake scoop was quite common on both the K, L, N and Q variants, although they were sometimes replaced by a ventral loop aerial. Some of the P-400´s had a mast behind the intake scoop as well, but I would say that the lack of a mast in general rules out the later versions. My money is still on the P-400, but it might very well be a D or an F.
The RAF Airacobras were known as the Caribou, and P-400 was allocated by Wright Field to RAF Airacobras in USAAF service in reference to the advertised top speed of 400 mph (640 km/h).

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Re:

#9

Post by LineDoggie » 03 Jun 2023, 02:57

Andy H wrote:
31 Dec 2004, 21:19
Hi Christopher & Robert

Why are these P39 Airacobra's and not say P63 Kingcobra's?

If they are the former I would guess there Q versions, given that out of 9588 built, some 4,000 were Q versions.

Andy H
P-63 had a taller rudder , intake was bigger and closer to canopy
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P-63.jpg
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LineDoggie
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity

#10

Post by LineDoggie » 03 Jun 2023, 03:01

P-39Q also came std with 2 underwing pods for .50 Brownings. now these were usually removed from soviet machines
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TISO
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity

#11

Post by TISO » 09 Jun 2023, 20:26

IMHO P-400. slim 20mm nose gun, double number of exhaust pipes

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Empiricist
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity

#12

Post by Empiricist » 11 Jun 2023, 12:49

ChristopherPerrien wrote:
31 Dec 2004, 20:39
Obviously a late or post war picture...
That's right. It's typical post-war exhibition similar to the USAAF exhibition under the Eiffel Tower in Paris in August 1945. Two Fw 190s and one Bf 109 can be seen also in the background.

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