Description
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.
Author: John Stanaway, George Mellinger
Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
Published: 07/25/2001
Pages: 96
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 9.80h x 7.30w x 0.30d
ISBN13: 9781841762043
ISBN10: 1841762040
BISAC Categories:
- History | Military | Aviation & Space
- History | Wars & Conflicts | World War II | General
Author: John Stanaway, George Mellinger
Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
Published: 07/25/2001
Pages: 96
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 9.80h x 7.30w x 0.30d
ISBN13: 9781841762043
ISBN10: 1841762040
BISAC Categories:
- History | Military | Aviation & Space
- History | Wars & Conflicts | World War II | General
About the Author
John Stanaway has written two best-selling volumes in the Aces series both covering the exploits of the greatest Pacific fighter of them all, the P-38 Lightning. He is also an official historian of the National P-38 Pilots' Association.