Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Bell P-39D Airacobra for the U.S. aviation tech tree. This entry is part of a series of suggestions focused on the early P-39 variants operated by the US Army Air Corps and US Army Air Forces. The P-39D was developed from the earlier P-39C and incorporated increased armament and additional protective features.
TL;DR:
A second P-39 variant (Model 15) with a 1,150 hp Allison V-1710-35, 1 x 37-mm cannon + 2 x .50-cal in the nose and caliber + 4 x .30-cal in the wing, a belly rack, and w/ protections.
I want to clarify that the P-39D with the Model 15 company designation is neither identical to nor related to the P-400 Airacobra, which was designated as Model 14.
This means that the P-39D-1 and P-39D-2 are not subvariants of the P-39D. Instead, the P-39D-1 and P-39D-2 correspond to the Model 14A and Model 14A-1, respectively. These aircraft were developments of the P-400 and should therefore be considered subvariants of the P-400 lineage.
In contrast, the P-39F and P-39J belong to the Model 15B family and are direct developments of the P-39D.
Because Model 14 and Model 15 aircraft were equipped with different systems and equipment combinations, their external appearances are not the same, and they should not be conflated.
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 had historical significance and deserves a place in the game, as it was among the first American aircraft to oppose the Japanese air raids in the Pacific in 1942. Performance-wise, the P-39D would fly a little faster and lighter than the American P-400, as it retains the 37mm cannon and has less armor overall than the P-400. Thus, the P-39D would make a certainly welcoming addition to the P-39 Airacobra family for US aviation.
Related Suggestions
I made additional suggestions for other P-39 variants. If you’re interested in these suggestions, check them out!
