P-39 Advice Wanted

[TylerMac]

I've flown the Airacobra many times over the past few tours and have come to enjoy it. Could I get some advice from you old timers  on maximizing performance?  The main way I've found it successful is grabbing alt and dropping in on someone due to its errr lack of performance in the engine department, then trying to bracket the enemy aircraft for the kill shot with the cannon.  Thoughts, Comments, Advice?   


Thanks - TylerMac 

[Noir]

you nailed it, use your zooming abilities to pick people, the low speed turns can be done until you have to rely on the extra engine power...try to fight downwards and climb back away from the enemy. Any climbing fights will result in your loss, except if you are bullsey beyond d600 with that 37mm.

[Soulyss]

Most of my experience is with the D model 39, the D does a couple things well but it going to be a real challenge in the LW main arena.  The D will pick up speed in a dive quite nicely (it needs to it doesn't start with much), and I feel like it can make some pretty sharp turns early in the engagement.  I say early because most maneuvers are going to bleed energy and the P-39D is very slow to rebuild that lost E.  So start from the top of the fight and work down, when you start to get near the bottom get out.  Try to leave yourself a couple thousand just in case because putting the nose down is the only way to quickly build up airspeed in case you need it.

The Q is a much more capable airframe, with 10-20mph better speed and an extra 1k/min climb advantage up to about 10K thanks to WEP (according to the charts on the wiki).  I do find the armament somewhat problematic, being a relatively poor shot the 37mm is a difficult weapon to hit with, low muzzle velocity, and low rate of fire.  What that means is I have to get in really close to score a hit, the D model has the 20mm option which I prefer despite the small ammo capacity.  I don't fly the Q enough to have a good feeling for whether the increased firepower of the wing mounted .50's is worth the drag and weight penalty.  Right now despite my issues with it I think it's a better idea to go with/out the gun pods but I'm happy to hear from more experienced Q drivers.

Despite all it's issues I really do enjoy the 39, particularly the D.  It's a real challenge to fly in Late War, and I love the history of the P-39 in 5th Air Force service in New Guinea which keeps me flying it.

[Tyrannis]

I dont know if its true in AH. (Because i dont use the p39 much anymore) But i believe the 39 episode of "Great Planes" stated that when the British tested the p39, it had the ability to outturn the spitfire, but not outclimb it.

Its poor vertical performance is what lead the british to adopt spitfires instead of the p39 as their frontline fighter.

Anyone know how true that statement is? can a p39 really outturn a spit1-SpitV?

[Soulyss]

I haven't done any tests of turn radius but my impression is that if the 39D is going to get a shot on the Spit it better do it early.  I'm pretty sure that in a sustained turning match the Spit will haul around and get behind the P-39. 

I've seen that episode of Great Planes and I think they got more wrong than right.

[Noir]

P39 main british front line fighter? 

[icepac]

Is the P400 armament represented in game?

[Soulyss]

Is the P400 armament represented in game?

Yes.

[titanic3]

I don't fly it much, but the few times I did, here's what I can tell.

It was made for ground attack, meaning flying under 10K to get the maximum effectiveness.
You always need speed/altitude in order to dive/catch other planes who 90% of the time, outclimb and outrun you.
The 37mm RoF is REALLY slow, so unlike the comparable NS-37 or MK108 on the Yak-9T/109K4, there's a slight delay after each round before the next one fires. Take these shots at D200 and less or if they're flying in a perfectly straight line.
The wing mounted 50cals are definitely needed because 2x 50Cals in the nose just don't cut it.

[Oldman731]

Thoughts, Comments, Advice?

Turns great to the left, not at all to the right.  Probably this has much to do with the way the propeller wash hits that huge vertical stabilizer.

39Q is actually a pretty capable plane.  The D, not so much.  I admire people like Soulyss who are determined to fly the D, it poses a difficult and usually unrewarded challenge.

As others have said, rate of fire on the 37mm is such that you're basically firing aimed single shots.  Get close before you start.

There is a noticeable difference on the Q when you get rid of the gondolas.  The two center-mounted .50s and the 37mm are all you need, and the performance improvement is worth it.

Flaps don't help you much, and quite often hurt you.  Careful not to get too slow, at very slow speeds it's a tricky plane to handle.

Other than that, it's a very pleasant plane to fly.

- oldman

[Squire]

The P-39Q is the best performer of the two as it has an engine with WEP. Fly it without the gondolas on the wings. They add weight and drag that you dont need vs fighters imho. 14k is its best alt. It dives very well, and when not overburdened with a lot of fuel it is surprisingly manueverable. It has very good energy retention as it has a clean airframe and decent wing area. Climb rate is average at best so fly it with that in mind. The P-39Q flown aggresively and smart can give many of the so called "better" fighters a shock. Many players grossly underestimate it. Get in close and get a hit with the 37mm...it will blow most fighters in half if a round connects. Its harldy "uber" but it can be competative. Its a fun ride and you will generate a few PMs from LA-7 flyers (and many others) that presume an invulnerbility that does not exist in a duel vs a lowly Airacobra. Keep flying it and have fun.

The P-39D does not have WEP and although it does have the P-400 20mm nose gun (with only 60 rounds) thats not enough of a reason to take it up in the LWA over a P-30Q. It can also be a fun ride but its a 1942 design airplane...don't expect too much from it in LWA. That said fly it if you like it.

The main reason the P-39 (and the P-40) were not used or adopted by the RAF or the USAAF in NW Europe were twofold; lack of high alt performance, and/or lack of range. In the MED and the East Front (where the Soviet VVS used the P-39s in large #s) those shortcomings were not as pronounced. In the PACIFIC there was a simliar problem but lack of range in the vast expansion of that theater spelled the end of the P-39 as soon as better performing and longer ranged types could be made available.

[titanic3]

IMO, the gondolas ARE needed, simply because of the environment in the MA. Almost every plane out-turns/out-run/out-climb the P39 or all three. The only time you're going to get a kill is during snapshots or on enemies that are in bad positions. Time is something the P39 doesn't have, if it doesn't kill the moment it gets its chance, it's not going to kill at ALL. Which is why IMO, you NEED the extra firepower because that extra firepower might just let you rip the guy's wing off when you couldn't with just 2x. Or get a lucky pilot kill, etc etc...

[TylerMac]

Thanks for the great response guys!       I've tried researching the Airacobra on here, but I didn't find too many results.   I've never flown the Q without the pods, so I will definitely give that a shot since I'm open to all ideas.    I appreciate the help.   See y'all in the air! 

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

you nailed it, use your zooming abilities to pick people, the low speed turns can be done until you have to rely on the extra engine power...try to fight downwards and climb back away from the enemy. Any climbing fights will result in your loss, except if you are bullsey beyond d600 with that 37mm.

QFTW.


What many people forget about aircraft is a "loop" doesn't always have to be going up and over, it can also be done by going down and under, if your at altitude already 12-14k (max) you have that room to duck under gain speed and then reengage your target even if they are higher then you, a p-38 will not be able to resist the urge to dive in on your tail, only to watch your nose come back up packing 400+mph of speed climbing your bad self back upto HIM this time, all they can do is nose up or take the head on/evade. If they do nose up,level yourself or dip a wing and let your plane cherry bomb down again. I find flying hard and ferocious wins the day, and try to keep distance and air speed high. If that 38 pulls up and out,you dive and head away,slow turn back around,then close and dive under again..rinse and repeat.

Also please please keep in mind the 39's controls are super sensitive, if your trying to gain speed in a dive try just releasing the controls all together till 320+ mph is reached,after that the plane will try to start flying itself. and in said dive don't keep your wings angled with the horizon,try to always keep them at a 45 degree,so your dive is also a gentle turn.

[Squire]

The only time you're going to get a kill is during snapshots or on enemies that are in bad positions

I forgot. The inherent uncoolness of the P-39 means you must die. So just accept your fate quietly and stop being so difficult.