Airacobras in the markings of five air forces that used the Bell fighter during World War II. Airacobra I AH579 of No 601 Squadron, RAF, October 1941;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Airacobras in the markings of five air forces that used the Bell fighter during World War II. P-400 BWJ67 of the 67th Fighter Squadron (35th Fighter Group) USAAF, in New Caledonia, 1942;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Airacobras in the markings of five air forces that used the Bell fighter during World War II. P-39N 42-9410 of GC11/6 “Travail" 3eme Escadrille, Forces Aeriennes Francoises Libres, 1943;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Airacobras in the markings of five air forces that used the Bell fighter during World War II. P-39L 42-4558 of the 93rd Fighter Squadron (81st Fighter Group), Tunisia, 1943;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Airacobras in the markings of five air forces that used the Bell fighter during World War II. P-39Q used by Major Alexander Pokryshkin (Sov AF) on the Russian Front southern sector, 1943-44;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Airacobras in the markings of five air forces that used the Bell fighter during World War II. P-39N 42-9377 of the 4 Stormo, Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force in Yugoslavia, 1944.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

The thirteen Airacobra Is of No 601 Squadron were displayed to the press at Duxford in October 1941 - after the aircraft had been withdrawn from operations because of problems with the compass, armament and generally low serviceability. Flame damping exhausts had been fitted at this stage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

An early British Airacobra (believed to be AH579, the tenth aircraft) prior to delivery. The 20-mm nose cannon is not fitted, and the rather unusual arrangement of the camouflage scheme is noteworthy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

View of the P-39C DS173, the first Airacobra to arrive in Britain. This was one of three P-39Cs supplied under Lend-Lease arrangements; the four machine guns in the nose and lack of wing guns distinguish this variant from the British Airacobras.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

An early British Airacobra (believed to be AH579, the tenth aircraft) prior to delivery. The 20-mm nose cannon is not fitted, and the rather unusual arrangement of the camouflage scheme is noteworthy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Although ordered in large numbers the Airacobra was not an operational success in R.A.F. service. This picture shows DS173, possibly a prototype.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Despite its deficiencies as a fighting machine, the Airacobra was pleasant to fly and was regarded by most British pilots as an advanced type with its tricycle undercarriage and other “modern" features.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

The fourth British Airacobra, AH573, was used briefly for handling and performance trials at the A & AEE, Boscombe Down, but crashed before the tests were complete. Unlike the earlier examples, this aircraft had divided stubs on each of the six exhaust pipes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

The second Airacobra I, AH571, showing the modified rudder and a fairing round the exhaust stubs.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

This illustration shows the cockpit of the XP-39E, an experimental version of the Airacobra, but the layout of the instruments is similar to that of the British Airacobras.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Bell Airacobra I

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

Over 250 of the British Airacobras, including some of those that had served with No 601 Squadron, were shipped on to Russia from the UK, and eventually gave satisfactory service in the ground attack role.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939