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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 writeup 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.
History
P-39D-2 was the second of two batches specifically ordered for the United Kingdom and its allies. 158 P-39D-2s were ordered for the production on September 17, 1941.
The P-39D-2 was introduced with the new Allison V-1710-63 engine, rated for 1,325 hp, with a different 2:1 reduction gear (gear ratio was 1.8:1 for the V-1710-35). It had the retrofitting capability to use the 37mm cannon and could carry the larger drop tank underneath the fuselage. Sources indicated other minor changes were incorporated into the P-39D-2, but no specific details were given.
The P-39D-2s were intended to be shipped to the United Kingdom but were rerouted to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program. Some P-39D-2s were reacquired and re-issued to the mixed US Army Air Forces squadrons with the P-400s and P-39D-1s in the New Guinea and South Pacific.
A source indicated the 333rd Fighter Squadron with the P-39D-2s was stationed in Canton Island, and the P-39D-2s were ordered to remain on the island away from the combat zone in Guadalcanal.
One of the known kills marked by the P-39D-2s occurred on April 12, 1943, when Lt. Lloyd ‘Yogi’ Rosser of the 41st Fighter Group flew the P-39D-2 and shot down a G4M Betty that was part of a large formation sent to attack Port Moresby, New Guinea.
By late 1943, the P-39D-2 and other P-39s in the South Pacific had been restricted from combat duties and allowed to perform secondary duties, such as transport escort, convoy cover, or short-range ground attack strafe.
Specifications
Bell P-39D-2 AiracobraGeneral Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m)
- Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.6 m)
- Span: 34 ft (10.36 m)
- Wing Area: 213.0 sq ft (19.78 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 3-bladed Curtiss Electric propeller
- Powerplant: Allison V-1710-63 liquid-cooled piston engine with single-stage, single-speed supercharger
→ 1,325 hp (975 kW)- Internal Fuel: 120 US gal. (454 L)
- Oil Tankage: 13.8 US gal. (52.2 L)
- Empty Weight: 6,300 lb (2,858 kg)
- Gross Weight: 7,830 lb (3,552 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 8,200 lb (3,719 kg)
Performance
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.17 (0.27 kW/kg)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 368 mph @ 13,800 ft (592 km/h @ 4,206 m)
- Time to Altitude: 5.2 minutes to 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
- Service Ceiling: 32,100 ft (9,784 m)
- Combat Range: 800 miles (1,288 km)
- Max. Range: 1,545 miles (2,486 km) w/ external ferrying tanks
Armament
- Guns:
- 20-mm M1 cannon (60 rounds)
- 2 x .50-cal. M2 Browning machine guns (200 - 270 rpg; 400 - 540 rounds)
- 4 x .30-cal. M1919 Browning machine guns (250 - 1,000 rpg; 1,000 - 4,000 rounds)
- Bomb:
- 1 x 250-lb M57 bomb
- 1 x 300-lb M31 bomb
- 1 x 500-lb M43 bomb
- 1 x 600-lb M32 bomb
- Drop Tank:
- 1 x 75-gal drop tank
- 1 x 175-gal drop tank
Supplemental Data
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.
See Also - P-39 Family
I made additional suggestions for other P-39 variants. If you’re interested in these suggestions, check them out!
- T.O. 01-110FE-1 Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions for Army Models P-39D-1 and -2 (5 March 1943)
- The Bell P-39 Airacobra, Profile Publications Ltd, Profile 165
- P-39 Airacobra in Action (1980)
- P-39 Airacobra In Detail & Scale 63 (1999)
- Crowood Aviation Series Bell P-39 Airacobra (2000)
- P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War 2 (2001)
- Mushroom Yellow Series 6106 Bell P-39 Airacobra (2003)
- P-39/P-400 Airacobra vs A6M2/3 Zero-sen: New Guinea 1942 (2018)
- Bell P-39D-1,2 Airacobra
- Bell P-39 Airacobra - Wikipedia
- Bell P-39 Airacobra & P-63 Kingcobra
- Bell P-39 Airacobra Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
