P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War 2: No.36 (Aircraft of the Aces) - Softcover

Stanaway, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841762040 ISBN 13: 9781841762043

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2001

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Product Description:

This title charts the history of the P-39 Airacobra which served alongside the P-40 and P-38 in the bitter struggle to capture the Guadal canal in World War II.

Review:

"Loved by some, hated by others, the Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fascinating, but largely forgotten aircraft of WWII history that played a significant role in the early air combat in the Pacific. This book is another excellent work of research by author John Stanaway and full of interesting history, photographs and appendixes of pilots who scored kills in the Airacobra." -"www.pacificwrecks.com"

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1841762040
• ISBN 13: 9781841762043
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Laurier Jim