P-39s - Into the Cobra Pit

[Tig]

Took a P-39Q up today and bagged an F4U-1D, co-alt. 

I think I'm gonna fly Cobras more now! So, with that in mind, I need to know everything about them.
-Do they have any quirks like the Ta 152 with an empty FWD tank?
-Any ACM/BFM maneuvers they excel at?
-Tips on hitting with the 37mm?
-Estimated corner speed?


Yeah, literally anything, it was real interesting flying sorties in it today, plus it gave a crapton of perk points. 

[nopoop]

https://www.hitechcreations.com/wiki/index.php/P-39Q

This is basic stuff but I use and reread stuff on tht planes I fly, or one I'm trying out. Good info

Games website and click on Planes

[Bopgun]

Never been able to figure that 30mm out. but fly it without the gun pods.

I suggest using the 37mm when in close and the 50 cals for all tracking shots.

[Oldman731]

Took a P-39Q up today and bagged an F4U-1D, co-alt. 

I think I'm gonna fly Cobras more now! So, with that in mind, I need to know everything about them.
-Do they have any quirks like the Ta 152 with an empty FWD tank?
-Any ACM/BFM maneuvers they excel at?
-Tips on hitting with the 37mm?
-Estimated corner speed?


Yeah, literally anything, it was real interesting flying sorties in it today, plus it gave a crapton of perk points. 

As StepSis said, don't use the gondolas.

37mm has a terrible trajectory.  I'm still working on convergence settings.  The .50s should be set at 400, as always.

Basically, the plane turns well to the left (use maximum rudder), and not at all well to the right.  Unlike the 39D, the Q climbs nicely, and it has WEP!  Don't hesitate to go up.

I always fly with full fuel, but I've also never run out of fuel.  Experiment!

The Q has a nice (left) turn radius.  Flaps are usually not a good idea, because you won't recover your energy any time in your virtual limited life time.  Now and again they help, but don't leave them out long.  Like, seconds.  Or less.

As with many of the hanger queens, you will be underestimated by your opponent.  Use that to your advantage.  Keep your energy up, you don't recover it quickly, like you do in a Spit or other ladies' planes.  There are some good fights to be had with this plane, and you can see how the Bolsheviks did well with it.

- oldman

[Tig]

Without the wing guns? Interesting. Do they make that much of a difference?

Good to know about left turns, I tend to go right as a habit. Why is it stronger to the left? Engine torque?

[Oldman731]

Good to know about left turns, I tend to go right as a habit. Why is it stronger to the left? Engine torque?

Not torque, actually, but propwash pushing against that big tail.

- oldman

[morfiend]

The gun pods add about 20 mph worth of drag. Much the same as the 109 series planes,of course this varies slightly with alt and speed.

Basically the 39 is 20 mph slower when you add the gun pods.

[nopoop]

Flew it last night  The 37mm is a killer. The difference between turning left vs  right is HUGE...

[Slade]

Any ACM/BFM maneuvers they excel at?

It burns E more quickly than almost any other plane.  How you can use that as an advantage is to take a plane up to say 15-20k and, using the rudder as an air brake, DROP in on a low fly plane's 6 unexpectedly. 

It can de-Orbit incredibly quickly.

EDIT1: Try this in many\most other planes and they simply have too much E\Speed and compress too much to be able to maneuver effectively.

EDIT2: If memory serves, I-16 can do this technique really well also.