Bell P-39D-2 Airacobra - Iron Dog Unleashed

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Yes, I know this is a Soviet P-39D-2, but I had to use this as a clean image for my suggestion.

Bell P-39D-2 Airacobra

   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 and a return of the 37-mm cannon.

   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.


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.


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 June 1, 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 Airacobra

General 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: 213.22 sq ft (19.81 sq m)
  • Propeller Type: 3-bladed constant-speed 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: 11.7 US gal. (44.3 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) or 37-mm M4 cannon (30 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


Diagrams


Images


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!


Sources


Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

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would be interesting to have but another plane that looks like all the p variants.

a lightweight P39? gib

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