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P-39 P-400 pictures.


renfield
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I was lucky enough to buy some great P-39 pictures not long ago. I know it was not the best fighter of the war, but it was what we had when the war started. I always thought it was a nice looking plane. Please feel free to add you pictures or information on this subject.

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Charlie Flick

Yep, the P-39 and P-400 are not at the top of anyone's list of greatest aircraft, but the Marines at Guadalcanal were sure happy to see the USAAF's 67th Fighter Squadron arrive with P-39s and P-400s during the most desperate period of the fight.

 

I have always liked this color photo of a P-39. The caption reads:

Two mechanics crank the handle of a USAAF Bell P-39Q-1-BE Airacobra, at Hamilton Army Airfield, California (USA), in July of 1943. The aircraft "Saga Boy II" (serial no. 42-19447) belonged to Lt.Col. Edward S. Chickering, commander of the 357th Fighter Group. When the Group moved to Great Britain in November 1943, it was reequipped with the North American P-51 Mustang.

Regards,

Charlie

P-39Q-1-BE at Hamilton Field CA.jpg

 

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My dad was in college in Buffalo as WW2 broke out and said he watched Airacobras flying all the time as they were being built close by at the Bell plant. He entered the war in '42 and spent the next several years in the Pacific with the 32nd Infantry Division. He came home in early '46 after several months of occupation duty in Japan. They were the Greatest Generation.

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39s I can help with. Always have loved that much maligned bird. My favorite fighter pilot book is "Nanette" by Edwards Park. He flew 39s with the 41st FS, 35th FG, 5th AF. Just an average Joe pilot flying an under-performing airplane early in the Pacific airwar.

 

The following are from the photos of Earl "Dutch" Miller, who flew 39s with the 345th FS, 350th FG in the MTO. Most folks don't know the 39 was still being flown well into 1944 in the MTO. Earl and the 350th finally got Jugs in August 1944. Earl was a friend. Sadly he passed away at age 92 on April 9th of this year.

 

The inflight photo is of Earl in his P39 "Eloise" named for his sister, who is still living.

 

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When I was a kid, the first warbird I ever saw up close and heard was a P-63 KingCobra that had been converted to an air racer. It was called "Tipsy Miss" and owned and flown by Jack Sandburg out of Crystal Airport in Minnesota. It was a bike ride away and is where I took flying lessons as a teenager. Needless to say it wasn't hard to fall in love with the 39s younger brother either :)

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

I've always loved the P39. I believe it began when I built a 1/48 scale model of a 39 when I was really young. 38Driver, thanks for the suggestion of Nanette! I'll try to find a copy.

 

Sadly, I only have one period photo of a P39. It was taken in the CBI theater and I acquired it in a photo/document group belonging to an Army photographer. As you can see, she's in sad, sad shape...

 

 

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Awesome pics! I'm glad I found these because recently got a dog tag to a pilot of a P-39 in wwii who didn't make it home. :(

 

Here is a pic...

Posted ImagePosted Image

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  • 4 weeks later...

While not an actual photo of a P-39/P-400, I picked this up as part of a group recently and thought I would post a photo. It is a list of preflight reminders for a P-39-D that used the Allison V-1710-35 engine. The reverse of the card has reminders for in flight. The card is approximately 5 inches x 7 inches.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Nice pictures and info. Thanks for posting and sharing. This is a nice picture I just got. The info with the picture states that the plane flew with the 91stFS 81stFG in Morocco Nov.1942. During operation Torch. I really like the way the paint job has faded out, and is very weathered. I am sure this is how most of the planes looked after a few weeks in the sun. Notice that there is nothing but sand in the background.

Steve

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When I was a young USAF enlisted man in the late 1960's I remember having a conversation with a crusty old Lt. Colonel who told me he flew with Ferrying Command during part of WWII and was checked out in every aircraft type except the P-39 & P-63. He said he refused to fly either type, but I can't remember his reason. Maybe he just didn't like the rear engine & the tricycle gear.

Ever heard the old Air Corps ditty about the Airacobra?

Don't give me a P-39

With an engine that's mounted behind.

She will tumble and roll

And dig a big hole.

Don't give me a P-39

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Here is a new picture I just received. She could be with the 81st FG or 99thFS. There is an American marked Spitfire IX from the 309th FS in the background.

 

Steve

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