Introduction

P-39 Airacobra: Bell Fighter in World War II is a recent title by David Doyle, part of Schiffer Publishing’s series "Legends of Warfare (Aviation)."

With so many new P-39 kits released or pending, modelers and historians should appreciate this pictorial book which chronicles the P-39 from prototype through the P-39Q, and a trainer.  This hardback book measures 9"x9", features 144 heavy semi-gloss pages with 240 color or black-and-white photographs, and is catalogued with ISBN978-0-7643-6703-8.    Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is the publisher and the book is also available at a discount from the author at DavidDoyleBooks.com. 

The genesis of David Doyle Books began while Mr. Doyle was restoring military vehicles, while at the same time working in a hobbyshop.  Thus, his keen emphasis is on what so many people of those communities value about his work.

Legends of Warfare is a series of books of standard size, layout, and range from 112 to 144 pages in length.  They have a clean look to them and thus easy to read and learn from.  Whether your interest is modeling, history or restoration, the focus is on the evolution and variant details of the P-39.

The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fascinating subject.  An innovative cutting-edge fighter design with a jet-sleek profile marred only by the raise canopy and carburetor scoop, it was reviled by American and United Kingdom pilots as “a klunker.”   It had a reputation for dangerous aerodynamic handling characteristics.  In the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), over Guadalcanal, Airacobras were part of what was derisively known as “the fishing fleet” – aircraft that headed out to sea away from incoming Japanese air raids.  Japanese Navy ace Saburo Sakai stated the P-39 was the fighter the Japanese most preferred to engage.   In the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), the P-39 was kept away from German fighters.  And yet, Lend-Lease P-39s given to the Soviet Union were beloved by the Russians and used as air superiority fighters against the Germans; two individual Russian pilots each shot down more enemy aircraft in the P-39 than Western Allied Ace of Aces Ira Bong scored in total.  In their P-39s they also scored more kills in an American aircraft than any other Allied pilot in any Western fighter.  Not bad for a klunker.

As the publisher writes:

With a midengined configuration, sturdy tricycle landing gear, and nose-mounted 37 mm cannon, the Bell P-39 was a thoughtful and innovative design. However, the plane lacked the all-out performance of some other key fighters available to Allied fliers (e.g., Spitfire, Hellcat, Mustang), particularly at altitude. Largely rejected by British and American combat squadrons, the Airacobra was much better received in the Soviet Union, where the Red Air Force successfully deployed large quantities of the type against the Luftwaffe. This new entry in the Legends of Warfare series features detailed photographic coverage of all variants of the Airacobra, including prototypes, trainer versions, production models C through Q, and the P-400.

I see David Doyle Books widely praised as "must haves" and "go-to" sources by modelers.  Let us explore why through this book.

Content

P-39 Airacobra is composed of 14 chapters and an introduction:

1. XP-39 (6 pages)

2. XP-39B (6 pages)

3. YP-39 (10 pages)

4. P-39C (8 pages)

5. Airacobra I/P-400 (10 pages)

6. P-39D (16 pages)

7. XP-39E (2 pages)

8. P-39F and P-39J (10 pages)

9. P-39K (2 pages)

10. P-39L (6-page)

11. P-39M (4 pages)

12. P-39N (14 pages)

13. P-39Q (42 pages)

14. TP-39 (2 pages)

An aspect of David Doyle Books that impresses me is not only the "golly gee" history, but the inclusion of archival and nuts and bolts information such as contract numbers and dates of signing, i.e., what became the P-39 began with US Army Air Corps (USAAC) Circular Proposal X-609 in February, 1937, with Bell Aircraft Corporation signing USAAC contract AC-10341, issued October 7, 1937.  The names of the three-officer evaluation panel are even presented.  Changes due to design specifications during procurement are noted, i.e., Specification C-616, and what that meant for the P-39.   Other components are equally treated such as the military designation for the Colt T9 37 mm cannon, i.e., Gun, Automatic, 37 mm, M4, which was standardized in December, 1940.   P-39 submodels and their characteristics are stated, i.e., P-39D-1-BE.  Most of the model designations were due to engine changes - some engines delivering better performance at low or higher altitude - or propeller changes (due to production shortfalls) .

Furthermore, we find research gems such as Bell Aircraft's internal designations, e.g., YP-39 was Bell Model 12 and the P-39D was Bell Model 15.  I have been reading about Airacobras for 50 years and did not know that the P-39D was originally designated the P-45, and the interesting bureaucratic reason it reverted to the P-39D.  Readers will also learn of the RP-39C and that the "R" prefix did not stand for "reconnaissance."  Mr. Doyle also provides a treasure trove of trivia for historians, researchers, and restoration, e.g., different gauges of aluminum for particular sections of the airframe, spoke wheels and wheel covers, different engine versions.  The content contains more than just those topics.

The first three chapters cover the developmental journey from the XP-39 through the YP-39 with 25 pages.  We learn of the initial designs and subsequent modifications and refinements, serial numbers, designers, engineers, successes and failures.  Decisions concerning equipment and components are mentioned, some being controversial in the P-39 legend.  P-39C is remembered through five pages, explaining operations and technical characteristics.  Ever wanted to know who made the shock struts for the landing gear?  It is identified herein.

Airacobra I/P-400 introduces the subject of Airacobra combat.  Details as mentioned above continue to reveal the fortes and foibles of the Airacobra.  It recounts British and French orders, British changes and flight trials, and the Russian's extraordinary air-to-air success with the type.  P-39D covers the aircraft with the same detail as previous chapters.  Interesting is mention of the different colors Bell used on components.  Included are instructional photos of the P-39D cockpit; curiously, photos of the seat show what appears to be a bunch of loose rivets in the bottom.  XP-39E is a short explanation of that model.  Ten pages explain and demonstrate what made the P-39F and P-39J variants different from the Ds.

Beyond the aircraft modifications, chapter P-39K is a very interesting as a bureaucratic study.  It explains that while there was a P-39G (Bell Model 26), we do not have P-39G models to build, and why the designation  jumped to the K.  (No mention is made of the lack of a P-39H or I designations.)  We also learn of difference between model number systems (P-39C, D, F, etc.) and the production block suffix, i.e., P-39K-2-BE.   As usual, this and following chapters includes serial number ranges, and airframe or component changes.   P-39L is a slightly longer (6-page) look at the version.  Several of the photos are of photoreconnaissance equipment.  P-39Ms were re-engined for better high-altitude performance over the P-39L.  A lot of P-39Ns were built as reflected in 14 pages of its history.  I never knew P-39s were loaded with those triple-bazooka launchers but this chapter includes photographic proof.

Finally, 42 pages present the P-39Q.  Along with the usual looks at the aircraft, inside the cockpit and other access panels, the author explains the different drop tanks manufactured for the P-39.  This chapter features:

• 17 color photos of Commemorative Air Force P-39Qs
• 2 photos of the P-39 power train on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
• 20 full and close-ups of the P-39 in Portage, Michigan.
  

Wrapping up this history are two pages of five photos of the TP-39.

With such a wealth of text and images, it is easy to understand why David Doyle Books are highly prized by modelers.   Now, read on about the images.

Photographs, Artwork, Graphics

Modelers are certain to find a wealth of information in this book, thanks to images ranging from entire aircraft to closeups or specific details.  Most are black-and-white although a surprising number are contemporary original full color.  Each photo is described and explained with captions of varying depth.  A sample of several I find particularly interesting are:

• Bell proof prints of XP-39s in a NACA wind tunnel
• Six in-flight shots from different aspects of a highly polished YP-39 in flight
• Internal structure of the middle fuselage
• Instrument panels/cockpit interiors for most models
• North Africa-bound P-39M crash in England
  
• P-39 with twin triple-bazooka underwing mounts
  
• Restored P-39F with the wrong propeller and serial number
• Several P-39s with panels off for maintenance.
  

Artwork

Supporting the photos are color illustrations and line art.

P-39 Development: 10 profiles from XP-39 to P-39Q-21

P-39C nose and 6-stub exhaust stacks

P-39C and P-400 noses, wings, and exhaust stacks differences

P-39D and P-400 noses and exhaust stacks differences

P-39 vs P-39D vertical stabilizer differences.

P-39D and P-39Q noses.

.50-caliber machine gun pod.

Color profiles:

P-39C, 31st Pursuit Group

Airacobra I, No. 601 Squadron

P-400 "Pat"/"Wahl Eye II", 39th Fighter Squadron (FS), including a vignette of the other side of the nose

P-39-1-BE, Milne Bay, New Guinea

P-39L

P-39N "Toddy III" and close-up of noseart

P-39N of Soviet ace Capt. Pokryshkin

P-39N of Soviet aces Babak and Dol'nikov

P-39Q "Tarawa Boom Deay", 72nd FS, Marianas Islands (I did not know Airacobras made it to the Marianas!)

Free French P-39Q

P-39Q of Capt. Rechkalov

P-39Q of Col. Kutakhov

Graphics

Table: 17 characteristics of essential data for 14 P-39 types

Conclusion

I understand why modelers are so effusive for David Doyle Books, and with new P-39 models forthcoming, I believe P-39 Airacobra is another certain hit for the Legends of Warfare (Aviation) range by Schiffer.  Mr. Doyle provides a detailed history or the P-39, and assembled an exceptional gallery of imagery to support the text.  The detail line art is useful and the color plates capture P-39s not otherwise provided through text and photos, yet interesting.  With a fighter that served through most of the war with so many air forces, I am glad that more than USAAF and RAF Airacobras are covered.

I think this is a splendid resource for modelers of the legendary/notorious (take your pick) Airacobra.  It examines the different variants, interior views, armament, and many other aspects that modelers enjoy.

Recommended.

Please remember to mention to David Doyle Books, Schiffer Publishing, and retailers that you saw this product here - on Aeroscale.