- Yes
- No
Greetings. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Bell P-39M-1 Airacobra for the US aviation tech tree, and this is the final suggestion for the mid-series of P-39 variants in the US Army Air Corps and US Army Air Force services. The P-39M-1 is based on Model 26D with a newer engine.
History
The P-39M-1 was the third and final batch of Airacobra aircraft in development of the initial P-39G, but this P-39G designation was dropped and divided into the batches of the P-39Ks, P-39Ls, and P-39Ms. These variants were commonly known as mid-series Airacobras.
The P-39M-1 started with a company designation of Model 26D, and the new-built P-39M-1s were equipped with a new 11-foot 1-inch diameter Aeroproducts propeller and powered with a new engine, the 1,200 hp V-1710-83 engine with retrofitting capability. The powerplant provided the P-39M-1 improved high-altitude performance, gaining ten mph faster than the P-39L at 15,000 feet. At this altitude, the P-39M attained 370 mph (592 kph) compared with 360 mph (576 kph).
240 P-39M-1s were ordered in August 1941. 157 of 240 were delivered to the Soviet Union under the lend-lease program.
Sources indicated that almost all remaining P-39M-1s in US Army Air Force service were deployed to North Africa & Italy and participated in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in 1943-1944. They served as the low-altitude ground-attack aircraft performing maritime patrol and close air support missions.
Specifications
Bell P-39M-1 AiracobraGeneral Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 30 feet and 2 inches
- Height: 11 feet, 10 inches
- Span: 34 feet
- Wing area: 213.22 square feet
- Powerplant: Allison V-1710-83
→ 1,200 hp @ 3,000 rpm @ sea level- Empty Weight: 6,892 lb
- Gross Weight: 7,755 lb
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 8,550 lb
- Internal Fuel: 120 gallons
Performance
- Speed at Sea Level: 298 mph
- Speed at Critical Altitude: 372 mph @ 14,600 feet
- Rate of Climb: 2,910 feet per minute
- Time of Climb to 1,000 meters: 1.1 minutes
- Time of Climb to 3,000 meters: 3.3 minutes
- Time of Climb to Critical Altitude: 4.5 minutes
- Service Ceiling: 33,200 feet
- Long Range Flight at Max. Speed: 280 miles
- Maximum Long Range Flight: 600 miles
Engine Ratings
Takeoff:
→ 1,200 BHP @ 3,000 RPM @ sea level
Normal:
→ 870 BHP @ 2,600 RPM @ sea level
Military:
→ 990 BHP @ 3,000 RPM @ sea level
→ 1,125 BHP @ 3,000 RPM @ 14,600 feet
Armament
- Guns:
- 37-mm M4 cannon (30 rounds)
- 2 x .50-cal M2 Browning Machine Guns (200 rpg; 400 rounds)
- 4 x .30-cal M1919 Browning Machine Guns (400 rpg; 1,200 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
- Rockets:
- 6 x M8 rocket launchers
- Drop Tank:
- 1 x 75-gal drop tank
- 1 x 175-gal drop tank
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-39M-1 had a historic significance in its role in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations despite limited service as a ground-attack aircraft in the US Army Air Forces, and it was the last aircraft of the mid-series of the P-39 variants before the P-39Ns and P-39Qs. Performance-wise, the P-39M-1 performs better at higher altitudes than the P-39K-1 and P-39L-1 but worsens at lower altitudes. This variant would be a good addition to the P-39 Airacobra family as an opportunity for dedicated completionists.
Sources
- P-39M Performance and Specifications
- Airplane Performance Characteristics for the P-39 Planes
- Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model P-39Q-1
- 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 Performance Tests
- Bell P-39M 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! 😃