P-39 Airacobra Identity
- Robert Hurst
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P-39 Airacobra Identity
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
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
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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.
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.
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.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.
- Cantankerous
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity
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).Skufr wrote: ↑19 Feb 2005, 17:33It´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.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.
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Re:
P-63 had a taller rudder , intake was bigger and closer to canopy
"There are two kinds of people who are staying on this beach: those who are dead and those who are going to die. Now let’s get the hell out of here".
Col. George Taylor, 16th Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach
Col. George Taylor, 16th Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity
P-39Q also came std with 2 underwing pods for .50 Brownings. now these were usually removed from soviet machines
"There are two kinds of people who are staying on this beach: those who are dead and those who are going to die. Now let’s get the hell out of here".
Col. George Taylor, 16th Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach
Col. George Taylor, 16th Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach
Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity
IMHO P-400. slim 20mm nose gun, double number of exhaust pipes
- Empiricist
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Re: P-39 Airacobra Identity
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.