huntzing@PICA.ARMY.MIL (CCL-S) (08/05/90)
From: "Hugh A. Huntzinger" (CCL-S) <huntzing@PICA.ARMY.MIL> >Bell P-39 Airacobra Single seat, low-winged monoplane powered by Allison > V-1710 liquid-cooled engine mounted behind pilot and > driving propellor via a shaft. 9558 built. > Many sent to the Russian front. Not considered one > of the better fighters of World War 2..... > .... but gave a good account > of itself in Soviet service where it excelled as a > low-altitude fighter-bomber and tank-buster. The Russians loved this aircraft. A lot of it had to do with the unusual engine setup made it one of the easiest aircraft to start during the Russian winters (if I recall correctly, it did a lot to keep the pilot warm, too). The gun was of a "larger than normal" caliber that I can't remember, thus the tank buster reputation. [mod.note: 37mm cannon (later, 20mm) in addition to MG's. - Bill ]