Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Bell P-39D-2 Airacobra for the US aviation tech tree, and this is one of my series of suggestions for the early P-39 variants in the US Army Air Corps and US Army Air Force services. The P-39D-2 was the second subversion developed from the P-400. While the P-39D-2 is similar to the P-400 and P-39D-1, it features an uprated engine.
Please pardon my short write-up story since the information about this P-39D-2 is very limited and difficult to find online. I request your assistance in finding additional sources, and I encourage you to discuss and share your knowledge and findings in the comments on this topic.
TL;DR:
A P-39 variant (Model 14A-1) akin to the P-400 but with an uprated 1,325 hp Allison V-1710-63, 20-mm or 37-mm cannon, and lighter armor configuration.
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
I made this suggestion to request more World War II-era vehicles for War Thunder. I feel the P-39D-2 could be a good candidate to add as a premium aircraft since the D-2 model was rare and had limited service in the US Army Air Forces, along with the ability to switch weapon configuration to a 20-mm or 37-mm cannon. Performance-wise, the P-39D-2 is similar to the P-400 but is lighter and performs better with less armor overall than the P-400 since the P-39D-2’s uprated engine gave a higher take-off performance and higher WEP output at low altitudes. Thus, this P-39D-2 would make a welcoming addition to the P-39 Airacobra family for US aviation, providing an opportunity for dedicated completionists.
Related Suggestion
I made additional suggestions for other P-39 variants. If you’re interested in these suggestions, check them out!
I’m in the process of researching the P-39D-2 myself. I’ll share some thoughts and information I’ve gathered.
I find this odd that the improved P-39D-2 was ordered 10 days before the first P-39D-1 order. Aviation Monographs Bell P-39 Airacobra book states a P-39D-2 order date of 17 September 1941.
Edit: Profile 165 The Bell P-39 Airacobra states the following order dates which makes sense looking at the serial blocks:
P-39D-1, 41-28257 to 41-28406 (150), 11 June 1941
P-39D-1, 41-38220 to 41-38404 (185), 17 September 1941
P-39D-2, 41-38405 to 41-38562 (158), 17 September 1941
P-39D-1, 41- 38563 (1), 17 September 1941
The following is from the manual “Bell P-39 Series Erection & Maintenance December 1, 1942”
Overall Height: 11 feet and 25 inches
Total Wing Area (Including Ailerons): 213.0 square feet
Curtiss Electric
Maximum oil capacity is 13.8 US gallons with 10.8 US gallons capacity for normal engine operations.
The manual states the P-39D-2 was armed with a 20mm cannon.
It actaully says:
Overall Height At Rest 111.25"
Height Propeller Tip, At Rest
P-400, P-39D, P-39F, P-39D-1, P-39D-2, P-39K-1 and P-39L-1 15.075"
P-39M-1 11.50"
P-39N-0, P-39N-1 and P-39Q-1 8.50"
I assume they need to be added together to give a height of 126.325"
Total Wing Area is the same.
Oil capacity is for all P-39 variants (covered in the manual at least).
Curtiss Electric propeller: P-400, P-39D, P-39D-1, P-39D-2, P-39L-1 and P-39M-1.
Aeroproducts hydraulic propeller: P-39F, P-39K-1, P-39N-O, P-39N-1 and P-39Q-1.
Hmm, I’m not sure I understand the height thing. These cannot be over 100 feet in height. The overall height at rest you mentioned should be 11.25 ft, 15.075 ft, 11.5 ft, 8.5 ft, and 12.6325 ft, respectively. It would be nice if you could upload and share pages of your source to avoid further confusion.
I really want to see this in the game, I love the airacobras, but i feel they’re somewhat held-back by the 37mm cannon, i’d like it a lot better with a 20mm
