NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Bell P-39 Airacobra aircraft played a vital role in Allied air power, especially during the first part of World War II. Although not suitable for operating at higher altitudes, due to having only a single stage supercharger, they proved a formidable adversary when operating below 12,000 feet.
The Airacobra was equipped with a 37 mm cannon, firing through the propeller hub. There were a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns in the nose and four 7.62 mm machine guns in its wings. This made it the most heavily armed single engine Allied fighter plane of World War II.
It is said that at speeds below 235 mph, the Bell P-39 Airacobra could out turn, out dive and out roll most aircraft of its time, even formidable Japanese front line fighters. The reason for the excellent low speed and low altitude performance was the location of its engine, behind the pilot.
Its placement permitted a very streamlined fuselage having much less frontal area than aircraft that had their engines located in their noses. The mid engine location of the engine provided room in the nose of the aircraft for its cannon and machine guns.
Airacobras were widely used by the Soviet air force for both air to air combat, ground attack, and troop support. The most successful Soviet aces claimed over 50 air to air victories while piloting the aircraft.
The aircraft were also active in the Pacific Theatre where they were successfully used against Japanese ground forces.
A total of 9,584 Bell P-39 Airacobra aircraft of all types were produced of which approximately 5,000 were supplied to the Soviet Union.
fighter
one
Allison V1710-83
1,200 h.p.
5,600 lbs.
8,400 lbs.
1- 37 mm
2- 12.7 mm / 4- 7.62 mm
30' 2"
34' 0"
386 mph
3,750 fpm
30,000 feet
650 miles
4/6/38
1941
Radio Control Airplane
A rc P-39 Airacobra from Guss Morfis plans.
Radio Control Airplanes:
In the photo immediately above is the rc Bell P-39 Airacobra built by Jeff Charlot from Guss Morfis plans. Wing span 34". Jeff powers his rc airplane with a Speed 480 motor. It weighs 19 oz.
We found a rc P-39 Airacobra from World Models on the RC Universe website. Wingspan is 63 1/2", length is 51 1/2" and weight is 7 1/2 lbs.
The photo directly below shows the Sure Flite rc P-39 Airacobra built by Splash of RC Groups. It has a wing span of 50". Powering the Bell P-39 is a Himax 2825-2700 motor geared 4.75:1. All up weight is 55 oz.
A popular rc P-39 Aircobra was sold as a kit by Top Flite. Its wingspan is 63" and length 55". Made of balsa and plywood, recommended engines ranged from .61 to .75 two cycle or from .70 to .91 four cycle. Weight is about 7 3/4 lbs. We recently saw one for sale on RC Groups.
The middle photo below is of a P-39 Airacobra rc built from Jim Pepino Plans. Kit Cutters offers two sizes of rc airplanes. The smaller of the two has a wing span of 68" and a length of 60 1/2". Suggested power are two stroke engines from .60 to .90. The larger is a giant scale and has a wing span of 80 1/2" and a length of 72". A 1.8 c.i.d. engine is the recommended power.
The third photo below is of the Bell P-39 rc built from a CAP kit. Wing span is 59.5". Construction materials used are balsa and plywood. You will need a .60 two cycle engine for power.
Please contact us if you know of a scale model rc Bell P-39 Airacobra radio control airplane for sale.
Bell P-39 Airacobra
