The first American fighter fitted with a tricyle undercarriage and mid-mounted engine, the P-39 proved less than successful in the hands of its launch customer, the US Army Air Force (AAF). Hampered by unreliabilty and poor engine performance at high altitude, the P-39 nevertheless served alongside the P-40 and P-38 in the bitter struggle to capture Guadalcanal in 1942/43, as well as seeing much action over the jungles of New Guinea. Around a dozen AAF aces scored five kills with the P-39, although this total was far outstripped by the Soviet Red Air Force, whose pilots rated the Airacobra as one of the best lend-lease fighters of the war.
| Published | Jul 25 2001 |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 96 |
| ISBN | 9781841762043 |
| Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
| Illustrations | 103 b/w; 38 col |
| Dimensions | 248 x 184 mm |
| Series | Aircraft of the Aces |
| Short code | ACE 36 |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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