Difference between revisions of "P-39K-1 (USSR)"

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 +
{{About
 +
| about = Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = P-39 (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=p-39k_1
 
|code=p-39k_1
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 
|cockpit=cockpit_p-39k_1.jpg
 
|cockpit=cockpit_p-39k_1.jpg
}}
 
{{About
 
| about = premium Russian fighter '''{{Specs|name}}'''
 
| usage = other uses
 
| link = P-39 (Family)
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
[[File:GarageImage_P-39K-1_USSR.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.
{{break}}
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. It costs 1,000 Golden Eagles.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight performance ===
 
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, maneuverability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
|-
+
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 
|-
 
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
|-
 
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,900 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,900 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
+
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
|-
 
|-
| 563 || 546 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.2 || 22.0 || 8.7 || 8.7 || 300
+
! Stock
|-
+
| 563 || 546 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.2 || 22.0 || 8.7 || 8.7 || rowspan="2" | 300
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,900 m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 624 || 590 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.5 || 20.0 || 18.8 || 12.9 || 300
+
! Upgraded
 +
| 622 || 590 || 19.5 || 20.0 || 18.8 || 12.9
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==== Details ====
 
==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
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|}
 
|}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
+
! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
+
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
! + !! -
+
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 420 || ~12 || ~9
+
| 886 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 400 || 374 || 233 || ~13 || ~9
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
+
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| < 360 || < 380 || < 450 || > 312
 
| < 360 || < 380 || < 450 || > 312
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|}
 
|}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
=== Survivability and armour ===
|-
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 
|-
 
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| 4,000 m || 1,150 hp || 1,479 hp
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
=== Survivability and Armor ===
 
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
  
Line 112: Line 84:
 
* 64 mm bulletproof glass behind pilot
 
* 64 mm bulletproof glass behind pilot
 
* Self sealing fuel tanks (one in each wing)
 
* Self sealing fuel tanks (one in each wing)
 +
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
{{main|M4 (37 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
+
{{main|M4 (37 mm)|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
  
 
* 1 x 37 mm M4 cannon, nose-mounted (30 rpg)
 
* 1 x 37 mm M4 cannon, nose-mounted (30 rpg)
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
+
* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
* 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (500 rpg outer + 1,000 rpg inner = 3,000 total)
+
* 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 1,200 total)
 +
 
 +
=== Suspended armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|FAB-250sv (250 kg)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 +
 
 +
* Without load
 +
* 1 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bomb (250 kg total)
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
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|-
 
|-
 
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable
 
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable
|-
 
|}
 
 
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
! Survivability
 
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 
|-
 
| I
 
| Fuselage repair
 
| Radiator
 
|
 
| Offensive 12 mm
 
| Offensive 7 mm
 
|-
 
| II
 
|
 
| Compressor
 
| Airframe
 
| New 12 mm MGs
 
| New 7 mm MGs
 
|-
 
| III
 
| Wings repair
 
| Engine
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
| IV
 
|
 
| Engine injection
 
| Cover
 
| New 37 mm cannons
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Good fire power
+
* Powerful engine, quick cooling
* Well armored
+
* Well-armoured
 +
* Good firepower
 
* Cockpit has good visibility
 
* Cockpit has good visibility
* Powerful engine
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* M4-37 mm isn't very accurate
+
* Turn rate is subpar
* No secondary weapon options
+
* High-altitude performance is bad (>3,000 m)
 +
* Many fighters can outperform it at its BR
 
* The engine is centrally mounted, taking engine damage while being chased is common
 
* The engine is centrally mounted, taking engine damage while being chased is common
 +
* 37 mm M4 cannon isn't very accurate & shell velocity isn't very high
 +
* 37 mm M4 cannon's belt contains a mix of AP and HEFI rounds, halving its effectivrness in either air combat or ground attack
 +
* No suspended ordnance options
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
  
=== In-game description ===
+
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 
In developing this aircraft, the Bell designers came up against two global problems. The first was that the P-39 was intended for export, and there was no way around this. The impossibility of fitting a turbo compressor to the low-altitude Allison engine (for fully explicable reasons) was one reason why the aircraft was never able to achieve a worthy place in the US air forces. The nature of air combat, both in Europe and the Far East, prevented the P-39 from making use of its advantages, while it was not possible to rectify its main drawback - its poor high-speed performance - because of the ban on exporting turbo compressors outside the USA.
 
In developing this aircraft, the Bell designers came up against two global problems. The first was that the P-39 was intended for export, and there was no way around this. The impossibility of fitting a turbo compressor to the low-altitude Allison engine (for fully explicable reasons) was one reason why the aircraft was never able to achieve a worthy place in the US air forces. The nature of air combat, both in Europe and the Far East, prevented the P-39 from making use of its advantages, while it was not possible to rectify its main drawback - its poor high-speed performance - because of the ban on exporting turbo compressors outside the USA.
  
Line 207: Line 163:
 
It must be noted that the M1 cannon was not always fitted onto the first series of the P-39, you could find the M4 here and there. Only the Model 26 (P-39G) carried the M4 as standard equipment. However, it did not go into production, but became the founder of a whole number of virtually identical series from P-39K to P-39Q. The main units were borrowed from the quite promising P-39D-2 series.
 
It must be noted that the M1 cannon was not always fitted onto the first series of the P-39, you could find the M4 here and there. Only the Model 26 (P-39G) carried the M4 as standard equipment. However, it did not go into production, but became the founder of a whole number of virtually identical series from P-39K to P-39Q. The main units were borrowed from the quite promising P-39D-2 series.
  
The P39K differed from the earlier models in its engine, the Allison V-1710-63, which was successfully tested in that same D-2. It was fitted with an afterburner system. It developed a nominal power of 1352 h.p. and 1550 h.p. in WEP (War Emergency Power) mode. The K series was the only one fitted with such an engine along with a three-bladed Aeroprop propeller. It was a full 360 kg heavier than the D-2, although externally, apart from the propeller, there was no visible difference. In fact, the extra weight was due to additional armor plating, which was used beginning with the K and on all subsequent series.
+
The P39K differed from the earlier models in its engine, the Allison V-1710-63, which was successfully tested in that same D-2. It was fitted with an afterburner system. It developed a nominal power of 1,352 hp and 1,550 hp in WEP (War Emergency Power) mode. The K series was the only one fitted with such an engine along with a three-bladed Aeroprop propeller. It was a full 360 kg heavier than the D-2, although externally, apart from the propeller, there was no visible difference. In fact, the extra weight was due to additional armour plating, which was used beginning with the K and on all subsequent series.
  
 
Altogether, by August 1941, 210 examples of the series K-1-BE, K-2-BE and K-5-BE, which were virtually identical, were built. Forty of them were sent to the USSR.
 
Altogether, by August 1941, 210 examples of the series K-1-BE, K-2-BE and K-5-BE, which were virtually identical, were built. Forty of them were sent to the USSR.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
=== Notable pilots ===
 
=== Notable pilots ===
 
<div><ul>
 
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Alexander_Pokryshkin_profile.jpg|thumb|none|200px|link=User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|[[User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|Alexander Pokryshkin]] flew the '''{{Specs|name}}''' during the battle of Kuban starting his 47 kill-streak with the [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]] series lend-lease aircraft.]] </li><!--
+
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Alexander_Pokryshkin_profile.jpg|thumb|none|200px|link=User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|[[User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|Alexander Pokryshkin]] flew the '''{{Specs|name}}''' during the battle of Kuban starting his 47 kill-streak with the [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]] series lend-lease aircraft.]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|200px|"Image Description"]] </li>
 
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|200px|"Image Description"]] </li>
 
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|250px|"Image Description"]] </li>-->
 
 
</ul></div>
 
</ul></div>
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=p-39k_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 
{{Youtube-gallery|k0xWIrlYSr4|'''The Shooting Range #55''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:35 discusses the Soviet P-39.}}
 
{{Youtube-gallery|k0xWIrlYSr4|'''The Shooting Range #55''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:35 discusses the Soviet P-39.}}
  
Line 230: Line 190:
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 +
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/86399-bell-p-39k-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
  
 
{{AirManufacturer Bell}}
 
{{AirManufacturer Bell}}
 
{{USSR fighters}}
 
{{USSR fighters}}
 
{{USSR premium aircraft}}
 
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 22:09, 21 October 2022

This page is about the Soviet fighter P-39K-1 (USSR). For other versions, see P-39 (Family).
▂P-39K-1
p-39k_1.png
GarageImage P-39K-1 (USSR).jpg
360://https://old-wiki.warthunder.com/images/f/f7/Cockpit_p-39k_1.jpg
▂P-39K-1
AB RB SB
3.3 2.7 3.0
Purchase:1 000 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The ▂P-39K-1 Airacobra is a premium rank II Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB), 2.7 (RB), and 3.0 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 3 900 m590 km/h
Turn time20 s
Max altitude9 500 m
EngineAllison V-1710-63
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight3 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 3,900 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 563 546 9500 21.2 22.0 8.7 8.7 300
Upgraded 622 590 19.5 20.0 18.8 12.9

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
886 322 400 374 233 ~13 ~9
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 380 < 450 > 312

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear322 km/h
  • 6 mm steel behind oil cooling system
  • 6 mm steel behind pilot
  • 15.87 mm steel in front of pilot
  • 15.87 mm ring immediately behind propeller hub
  • 38 mm bulletproof glass in front of pilot
  • 64 mm bulletproof glass behind pilot
  • Self sealing fuel tanks (one in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 017 Sl icon.png
RB3 971 Sl icon.png
SB1 311 Sl icon.png
Crew training4 800 Sl icon.png
Experts32 000 Sl icon.png
Aces250 Ge icon.png
Research Aces440 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 50 / 170 / 240 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 124 / 124 / 124 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg30_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Mods weapon.png
bmg30_new_gun
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-250
Mods weapon.png
m4_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition30 rounds
Fire rate150 shots/min
Ammunition400 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Ammunition1 200 rounds
Fire rate1 000 shots/min

The P-39K-1 (USSR) is armed with:

  • 1 x 37 mm M4 cannon, nose-mounted (30 rpg)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
  • 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 1,200 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 11 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bomb
Main article: FAB-250sv (250 kg)

The P-39K-1 (USSR) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bomb (250 kg total)

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Controllable
Auto control available
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful engine, quick cooling
  • Well-armoured
  • Good firepower
  • Cockpit has good visibility

Cons:

  • Turn rate is subpar
  • High-altitude performance is bad (>3,000 m)
  • Many fighters can outperform it at its BR
  • The engine is centrally mounted, taking engine damage while being chased is common
  • 37 mm M4 cannon isn't very accurate & shell velocity isn't very high
  • 37 mm M4 cannon's belt contains a mix of AP and HEFI rounds, halving its effectivrness in either air combat or ground attack
  • No suspended ordnance options

History


Archive of the in-game description

In developing this aircraft, the Bell designers came up against two global problems. The first was that the P-39 was intended for export, and there was no way around this. The impossibility of fitting a turbo compressor to the low-altitude Allison engine (for fully explicable reasons) was one reason why the aircraft was never able to achieve a worthy place in the US air forces. The nature of air combat, both in Europe and the Far East, prevented the P-39 from making use of its advantages, while it was not possible to rectify its main drawback - its poor high-speed performance - because of the ban on exporting turbo compressors outside the USA.

The second global problem was connected to a technical failure in the production of the 20 mm Hispano-Suiza AN-M1/M2C cannon by the Bendix company. This was the first problem the Bell specialists tried to tackle. The Bell specialists initially tried to solve this problem themselves. The virtually unusable 20 mm cannon was replaced by the old, heavy but more reliable Colt-Browning M4. The cannon had a lot of faults, mainly its low rate of fire and extremely inadequate stock of ammunition - only 30 shells. On the other hand, in spite of its weight, it could easily be fitted in the front part of the Cobra's fuselage; furthermore, it has one incomparable advantage over the Bendix product - it actually fired.

It must be noted that the M1 cannon was not always fitted onto the first series of the P-39, you could find the M4 here and there. Only the Model 26 (P-39G) carried the M4 as standard equipment. However, it did not go into production, but became the founder of a whole number of virtually identical series from P-39K to P-39Q. The main units were borrowed from the quite promising P-39D-2 series.

The P39K differed from the earlier models in its engine, the Allison V-1710-63, which was successfully tested in that same D-2. It was fitted with an afterburner system. It developed a nominal power of 1,352 hp and 1,550 hp in WEP (War Emergency Power) mode. The K series was the only one fitted with such an engine along with a three-bladed Aeroprop propeller. It was a full 360 kg heavier than the D-2, although externally, apart from the propeller, there was no visible difference. In fact, the extra weight was due to additional armour plating, which was used beginning with the K and on all subsequent series.

Altogether, by August 1941, 210 examples of the series K-1-BE, K-2-BE and K-5-BE, which were virtually identical, were built. Forty of them were sent to the USSR.


Notable pilots

  • Alexander Pokryshkin flew the ▂P-39K-1 Airacobra during the battle of Kuban starting his 47 kill-streak with the P-39 series lend-lease aircraft.

Media

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Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Bell Aircraft Corporation
Aircraft 
Fighters  P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5
  P-400
  P-63A-10 · P-63A-5 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra
Jet Fighters  P-59A
Export  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▄P-39Q-25
  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5 · ▄P-63C-5
Helicopters 
Attack  AH-1F · AH-1G · AH-1Z · AH-1W
  OH-58D
Utility  UH-1B · UH-1C · UH-1C XM-30
Export/Licensed  ▅UH-1B · ◄UH-1D
  Tzefa A · Tzefa B · Tzefa D/E · ▅AH-1S early · ▅AH-1S · ▅AH-1S Kisarazu · ␗AH-1W
  ␗OH-58D
See Also  Fuji Heavy Industries · Agusta

USSR fighters
I-15  I-15 WR · I-15 M-22 · I-15 M-25 · I-15bis · Krasnolutsky's I-15bis
  I-153 M-62 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P
I-16  I-16 type 5 · I-16 type 10 · I-16 type 18 · I-16 type 24 · I-16 type 27 · I-16 type 28 · I-180S
I-29  I-29
I-185  I-185 (M-71) · I-185 (M-82)
I-225  I-225
ITP  ITP (M-1)
MiG-3  MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34
LaGG  I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66
La  La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20 · La-9 · La-11
Yak-1/7  Yak-1 · Yak-1B · Yak-7B
Yak-3  Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U · Yak-3 (VK-107)
Yak-9  Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9T · Yak-9K · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT · Yak-9P
Other countries  ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Fw 190 D-9 · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc
P-39  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15
P-63  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5

USSR premium aircraft
Fighters  Krasnolutsky's I-15bis · I-16 type 28 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P · I-180S · I-301 · ITP (M-1)
  LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-11
  Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3T · Golovachev's Yak-9M
  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5
  ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · ▂Fw 190 D-9
Twin-engine fighters  I-29
Jet fighters  Su-11 · MiG-15bis ISh · MiG-17AS · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-23ML
Strike aircraft  IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2 M-82 · IL-8 (1944) · Su-6 · Tandem MAI · TIS MA · Su-8 · Tu-1
  Yak-38 · Su-7BMK · Su-25K · Su-39
Bombers  Po-2M · Be-6 · MBR-2-M-34 · Pe-2-205 · TB-3M-17-32
  ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▂Hampden TB Mk I · ▂A-20G-30 · ▂B-25J-30