Is our p-39D a mutt?

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Looking at the stats the p-39D-1 is what we currently have, only with the option to use the drop tanks and the 37mm option that the p39D-2 had, only without the engine HP increase the D-2 had over the D-1.

Why did we not just get two D versions, i thought HTC was going to rid us of mutt & hybrid plane types?


I doubt very much the added HP would help the D-2 much over the D-1 granted the weight & drag from the shackle and the weight added back from the 37mm would negate any real advantage the added horse power would add.

Still something  i always wonder. Would a pure D-2 be better then a pure D-1?

Hard to tell because right now we have neither.



Thoughts?

[Soulyss]

I believe the 39D, D1, and D2 are 3 different variants, it's not that we have a combination of the -1 and the -2 but rather we have the D and P400.

Production numbers are listed for the D, D1, D2, and 400

429,186, 158, and 675 respectively.

[Krusty]

The only reason to get the D-2 is wishing for an unrepresentative plane that had more power than most that saw service. The D-2 was nearly identical to the D but had about 150 more horsepower. It was a rare subset of the plane's development and not at all accurate when matching planes up against others from the same timelines.

We don't need the D-2 at all. If you want more power, fly the Q.

The D isn't so bad. It's a 1939 design. The D is a 1940 variant of that design. It was in service a full YEAR before the US was in the war.

So with all of that in mind, I mean this in the kindest way: WELL DUH IT'S UNDERPOWERED!!!

But it's still a fun challenge to fly.

[GScholz]

The D is a 1941 variant. Even the C was first flown in January 1941.

The D's performance isn't that bad. It is in fact very close to the Spit V in speed.

[Krusty]

The D is a 1941 variant. Even the C was first flown in January 1941.

The D's performance isn't that bad. It is in fact very close to the Spit V in speed.

The order for P-39Ds was issued in September of 1940, and on the day after that the order of P-39Cs were all modified and produced (starting after the 21st airframe) as P-39Ds. It may not have seen actual service until 1941, but it was signed into production and production began in 1940.

Hence, it was a 1940 variant of the P-39 airframe.

[Soulyss]

I don't think the D-2 really had more power over a wide range of altitudes.  The P-39C, D, and D-1 all used the Allison V1710-35 engine, the D-2 used the V1710-63 engine, the only difference was the supercharger gear ratio.

It was rated for more power at take off but I don't think the overall engine output was any higher across the board so it would put out less power at some altitudes compared to the -35.

[Krusty]

Max horsepower listed often as 1300 hp, compared to the 1150 hp listed for the more common Ds.

[GScholz]

The first P-39C's first flight was in January 1941. The D was a development of the C.

[Krusty]

Not according to jbaugher

EDIT: Okay, let me correct that. FIrst flight is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about when the order was placed and when production lines changed from Cs to Ds. That was in 1940.

Hence, 1940 design. Not saying 1940 COMBAT...  Saying 1940 design.

[GScholz]

You also claimed it was in service "a full year before before the US was in the war". At that time its predecessor, the C model, hadn't even flown yet, and the D model was certainly not "in production" until 1941. The British were the first to operate P-39D's and they didn't start receiving them until September 1941.

[GScholz]

The P-39C entered American service with the 39th “Flying Cobras” Pursuit Squadron, part of the 31st Pursuit Group. The first aircraft reached them at Selfridge Field, Michigan, during the summer of 1941.

[Krusty]

Ah, I see your point of contention now. Quite right. Bad phrasing on my part, and not correct. But, almost a year. It wasn't until Dec 7 1941 that Pearl was attacked, and it wasn't until well after that when it saw actual combat against the Japanese.

So, even though I was wrong, I still say it's close enough to get the gist of what I meant. 


P.S. There were only 20 or so P-39Cs. Starting at the 21st on the production line and every plane after that they were redesignated as P-39Ds.

P.P.S. You're wrong about the P-39D and production dates. WHile the C wasn't in service until later in 1941, it was in PRODUCTION well before 1941. Its production was canceled/changed for the P-39D in September of 1940. Just because it took a while to be accepted doesn't mean it wasn't in production.

[GScholz]

At least you admit you were wrong. I respect that. <S>

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

I don't think the D-2 really had more power over a wide range of altitudes.  The P-39C, D, and D-1 all used the Allison V1710-35 engine, the D-2 used the V1710-63 engine, the only difference was the supercharger gear ratio.

It was rated for more power at take off but I don't think the overall engine output was any higher across the board so it would put out less power at some altitudes compared to the -35.

So down low it would have more horse power, that could be good in most iron dog cases? Down low and starving for speed and power is where any p39 finds itself after the alt and E it would have had is gone.

Thank you for the info all.  

[Babalonian]

Looking at the stats the p-39D-1 is what we currently have, only with the option to use the drop tanks and the 37mm option that the p39D-2 had, only without the engine HP increase the D-2 had over the D-1.

Why did we not just get two D versions, i thought HTC was going to rid us of mutt & hybrid plane types?


I doubt very much the added HP would help the D-2 much over the D-1 granted the weight & drag from the shackle and the weight added back from the 37mm would negate any real advantage the added horse power would add.

Still something  i always wonder. Would a pure D-2 be better then a pure D-1?

Hard to tell because right now we have neither.



Thoughts?

I still want my 190A8 without pintle guns, no excessive armor, all the cannons, the biggest badest engine, a black jack parlor, and hookers!




(probabley won't happen)