P-39 Airacobra, Bell XP-39, XP-39B, YP-39, P-39C, P-39D, P-39F & Bell XFL-1 Airabonita, 1. část – Šnajdr Miroslav (2021)

This book examines the Bell P-39 Airacobra, an American fighter aircraft whose reputation during the Second World War was particularly contradictory. The United States Army Air Forces, for which it was primarily intended, considered it a failure, citing its low service ceiling, weak rate of climb and relative lack of manoeuvrability as serious disadvantages for its pilots. The only air force to fully exploit the Airacobra’s potential was the Soviet air force. Fighting on the Eastern Front took place at the low altitudes for which the P-39 was ideally suited, while Soviet fighter regiments generally received the aircraft after the initially desperate air situation had stabilised to some extent. The Airacobra was often assigned to experienced, high-quality units, and its characteristics also suited Soviet fighter pilots. As a result, the American fighter, rejected elsewhere, achieved exceptional results on the Eastern Front and became the most successful aircraft of its category supplied to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease. Many of the most productive Soviet fighter aces flew it. This first part covers the aircraft’s development, production and operational use through the F version. The contents are in Czech.