General Characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 30 ft 2 in (9.2 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.4 m)
• Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m)
• Wing area: 213 sq?ft (19.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 5,347 lb (2,425 kg)
• Loaded weight: 7,379 lb (3,347 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 8,400 lb (3,800 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Allison V-1710-85 liquid-cooled V-12, 1,200 hp (895 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 376 mph (605 km/h) (Redline dive speed was 525 mph)
• Range: 525 miles on internal fuel (840 km)
• Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,750 ft/min (19 m/s)
• Wing loading: 34.6 lb/sq?ft (169 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.27 kW/kg)
• Time to climb: 15,000 in 4.5 min at 160 mph (260 km/h).

Armament

• Guns:
  • 1 x 37 mm M4 cannon in nose (firing through the propeller hub). 30 rounds of HE-T ammunition gun.
  • 2 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) synchronized Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted. 200 rounds per gun
  • 2 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning M2 machine guns, wing mounted. 300 rounds per gun
• Bombs: Up to 500 lb (230 kg) of bombs under wings and belly

XP-39

XP-39-BE

Bell Model 11, one prototype 38–326 first flown 6 April 1938. Powered by an Allison V-1710-17 (E2) engine (1,150 hp/858 kW), the aircraft was fitted with a General Electric B-5 turbosupercharger, creating a two stage supercharging system similar to the P-38. Provision was made for two .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in the forward fuselage and one 25 mm (.98 in) cannon but aircraft remained unarmed. Later converted to XP-39B.

YP-39

YP-39

Bell Model 12, service test version, V-1710-37 (E5) engine (1,090 hp/813 kW). First two aircraft delivered with armament, the remained with a M4 37 mm (1.46 in) autocannon with 15 rounds, 2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns with 200 rpg, and 2 × .30 in (7.62 in) machine guns with 500 rpg in the nose. wider vertical tail than XP-39B. 12 completed with the first flying 13 September 1940.

YP-39A

One intended to have a high-altitude V-1710-31 engine (1,150 hp/858 kW), but was delivered as a regular YP-39.

XP-39B

XP-39B

One conversion first flown 25 November 1939. Streamlined XP-39 based on NACAwind tunnel testing resulting in revised canopy and wheel door shape, oil and radiator intakes moved from right fuselage to wing roots, fuselage increased length (by 1 ft 1 in, to 29 ft 9 in) and decreased wingspan (by 1 ft 10 in, to 34 ft). The turbosupercharger was removed, and the single-stage, single speed, supercharged Allison V-1710-37 (E5) engine (1,090 hp/813 kW) was left in place. The carburetor air intake was moved behind canopy, just above the carburetor.

P-39C

P-39C

Bell Model 13, first flown in January 1941 it was the first production version, identical to YP-39 except for V-1710-35 engine (1,150 hp/858 kW). Armed with 1 × 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon, 2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) & 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in the nose. Aircraft lacked armor and self-sealing fuel tanks. Twenty produced out of an order of 80 the remainder were redesignated P-39D

Airacobra I

Airacobra I

Bell Model 13, Royal Air Force designation for three P-39Cs sent to United Kingdom England for testing.

Airacobra IA

Bell Model 14. Briefly named Caribou. V-1710-E4 (1,150 hp/858 kW) engine, 1 × 20 mm (.79 in) cannon with 60 rounds & 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns were mounted nose and four 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns were mounted in the wings. IFF set removed from behind pilot. note: the designation IA indicates direct purchase aircraft; 675 built. The USAAF operated 128 former RAF aircraft with the designation P-400.

P-39D

P-39D-BE

Bell Model 13, production variant based on the P-39C with 245 lb (111 kg) of additional armor, self-sealing fuel tanks. Armament increased to 1 × 37 mm/1.46 in cannon (30 rounds), 2 × .50 in/12.7 mm (200 rpg) and 4 × wing mounted .30 in/7.62 mm (1,000 rpg) machine guns; 60 Produced.

P-39D-1

Bell Model 14A, production variant fitted with a 20 mm (.79 in) M1 cannon. Specifically ordered for delivery under Lend-Lease; 336 produced

P-39D-2

Bell Model 14A-1, production variant with a V-1710-63 (E6) engine (1,325 hp/988 kW) restored the 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon, provisions for a single 145 gal (549 l) drop tank or maximum 500 lb (227 kg) bomb under the fuselage; 158 produced.

P-39D-3

26 conversions from P-39D-1 to Photo Reconnaissance Configuration; K-24 and K-25 camera in rear fuselage, extra armor for oil coolers

P-39D-4

11 conversions from P-39D-2 to Photo Reconnaissance Configuration. Same modifications as D-3 aircraft.

XP-39E

XP-39E

Bell Model 23. three P-39Ds modified for ground and flight testing first flown 21 February 1942. Intended for Continental I-1430-1 engine with (2,100 hp/1,566 kW) actually flown with Allison V-1710-47 (1,325 hp/988 kW) engine. Airframes were used to test various wing and different vertical tail surfaces. Fuselage was lengthened by 1 ft 9 in (53 cm). Used in the development of the P-63. The production variants, with the Continental engines were to be redesignated as P-76; there was no Bell XP-76 as such.

P-39F

P-39F-1

Bell Model 15B, production variant with three-bladed Aeroproducts constant speed propeller, 12 exhaust stacks; 229 built.

TP-39F-1

One P-39F converted as a two-seat training version with additional cockpit added in nose— no armament.

P-39F-2

27 conversions from P-39F-1 with additional belly armor and cameras in rear fuselage.

P-39G

P-39G

Bell Model 26, 1800 order and intended to be a P-39D-2 with an Aeroproducts propeller. Due to modifications during production no P-39G were actually delivered. Instead, these aircraft were designated P-39K, L, M and N.

P-39H

• Designation not used

P-39J

P-39J

Bell Model 15B, a P-39F with V-1710-59 (1,100 hp/820 kW) engine with automatic boost control,; 25 built.

P-39K

P-39K-1

Bell Model 26A, a P-39D-2 with Aeroproducts propeller and V-1710-63 (E6) (1,325 hp/988 kW) engine. Vents added to nose; 210 built.

P-39K-2

Six conversion from P-39K-1 with additional belly armor and cameras in rear fuselage.

P-39K-5

One conversion with a V-1710-85 (E19) engine to serve as a P-39N prototype

P-39L

P-39L-1

Bell Model 26C, a P-39K with Curtiss Electric propeller, revised nose gear for reduced drag, provision for underwing rockets; 250 built.

P-39L-2

Eleven conversions from P-39L-1 with additional belly armor and cameras in rear fuselage.

P-39M

P-39M-1

Bell Model 26D, variant with an 11 ft 1 in Aeroproducts propeller, V-1710-67 (E8) (1,200 hp/895 kW) engine with improved high-altitude performance at the expense of low-altitude performance, 10 mph (16 km/h) faster than P-39L at 15,000 ft (4,600 m). Note: some P-39M-1BE were delivered with the V-1710-83 (E18) engine; 240 built.

P-39N

P-39N

Bell Model 26N, originally part of the P-39G order. V-1710-85 (E19) (1,200 hp/895 kW) engine. Aeroproducts propeller (10 ft 4 in diameter) & different propeller reduction gear ratio. Starting with the 167th aircraft, propeller increased to 11 ft 7 in & internal fuel reduced from 120 gal (454 l) to 87 gal (329 l); 500 built.

P-39N-1

Variant with internal changes to adjust center of gravity when nose guns were fired; 900 built.

P-39N-2

128 P-39N-1 converted with additional belly armor and cameras in rear fuselage.

P-39N-3B

35 P-39N converted with additional belly armor and cameras in rear fuselage.

P-39N-5

Variant with armor reduced from 231 lb (105 kg) to 193 lb (88 kg), Armor plate replaced the bulletproof glass behind the pilot, SCR-695 radio was fitted, and a new oxygen system was installed; 695 built.

P-39N-6

84 P-39N-5 converted with additional belly armor and cameras in rear fuselage.

P-39P

• Not used

P-39Q

• The final production variant last one built in August 1944. Remaining examples redesignated as ZF-39Q in June 1948.

P-39Q-1

Bell Model 26Q, variant with wing-mounted 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns replaced with a single 0.50 in (12.7 mm) with 300 rounds of ammunition in a pod under each wing. Armor increased to the original 231 lb (105 kg) of armor of the P-39N-1BE; 150 built.

P-39Q-2

Five P-39Q-1s modified to carry cameras for photographic reconnaissance by adding K-24 and K-25 cameras in the aft fuselage.

P-39Q-5

Production variant with reduced armor (193 lb/88 kg), fuel capacity increased (110 gal/l). Type A-1 bombsight adapters added; 950 built.

TP-39Q-5

One conversions to a two-seat training variant with additional cockpit added in nose – no armament. Enlarged tail fillet and a shallow ventral fin added.

P-39Q-6

148 P-39Q-5s modified to carry cameras for photographic reconnaissance by adding K-24 and K-25 cameras in the aft fuselage.

P-39Q-10

Variant with increased armor (228 lb/103 kg), fuel capacity increased (120 gal/454 l). Automatic Boost controls added and Throttle & RPM controls were coordinated. Winterization of oil systems and rubber mounts added to the engines; 705 built.

P-39Q-11

Eight P-39Q-10s modified to carry cameras for photographic reconnaissance by adding K-24 and K-25 cameras in the aft fuselage.

P-39Q-15

Production variant with reinforced inclined deck to prevent .50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun tripod mounting cracking, bulkhead reinforcements to prevent rudder pedal wall cracking, a reinforced reduction gearbox bulkhead to prevent cowling former cracking, and repositioning of the battery solenoid. Oxygen system reduced from four bottle to only two; 1,000 built.

P-39Q-20

Production variant with minor equipment changes. The underwing 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun pods were sometimes omitted in this version; 1,000 built.

P-39Q-21

109 P-39Q-20 fitted with a four-bladed Aeroproducts propeller.

RP-39Q-22

12 P-39Q-20s converted to two-seat trainers .

P-39Q-25

Production variant similar to the P-39Q-21 but with a reinforced aft-fuselage and horizontal stabilizer structure; 700 built.

P-39Q-30

Production variant that reverted to the three-bladed propellor; 400 built.

XTDL-1

United States Navy designation for two P-39Qs used as target drones. Assigned to NAS Cape May for test work. Later redesignated F2L-1K.

Other

P-45

The P-45 was the initial designation of the P-39C or Model 13.

XFL-1 Airabonita

One prototype for the United States Navy.

Australia

On display

P-39D

• 41-6951 – Beck Military Collection in Mareeba, Queensland.

Under restoration

P-39F

• 41-7215 – Precision Aerospace Productions in Glenrowan, Victoria.

P-39K

• 42-4312 – Classic Jet Fighter Museum in South Australia.

Finland

P-39Q

• 44-2664 – Aviation Museum of Central Finland in Tikkakoski.

Papua New Guinea

P-39N

• 42-19039 – J. K. McCarthy Museum in Goroka, Papua New Guinea.

United States

Airworthy

P-39N

• 42-8740 (unnamed) – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

P-39Q

• 42-19597 Miss Connie – Commemorative Air Force (CenTex Wing) in San Marcos, Texas.
• 42-19993 Brooklyn Bum – Lewis Air Legends in San Antonio, Texas.

On display

P-39N

• 42-18814 Girlie – Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona.
• 42-18408 Snooks 2nd / Betty Lou 3rd – Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York.
• 42-19027 Small Fry/Little Sir Echo – Planes of Fame in Chino, California.

P-39Q

• 42-20000 (unnamed) – March Field Air Museum at March ARB (former March AFB) in Riverside, California.
• 42-20007 (unnamed) – Virginia Air & Space Center near Langley AFB in Hampton, Virginia.
• 44-2485 (unnamed) – Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon

RP-39Q

• 44-3887 (unnamed) – National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.
• 44-3908 Whistlin Britches – Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Under restoration or in storage

P-39Q

• 44-2433 Galloping Gertie – in storage at the Paul Garber Facility of the National Air and Space Museum in Silver Hill, Maryland.
• 44-2911 Miss Lend Lease – under restoration at the Niagara Aerospace Museum in Niagara Falls, New York.