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.
#8438015 in Books 2016-03-21 2016-03-21Original language:English 8.90 x 1.07 x 5.98l; 1.33 #File Name: 1783312211452 pages
Review
