Happy 85th First Flight Anniversary to the Bell P-39 Airacobra!

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the main fighters for the U.S. Army Air Forces when America entered World War II.

The P-39 had an innovative design. It was the first fighter fitted with tricycle landing gear and its engine was mounted in the center fuselage, directly behind the pilot. That configuration freed up space for a 37 mm T9 cannon to fire through the center of the propeller hub.

What do you think about the Airacobra’s design as a fighter?

This P-39Q belongs to the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing. They restored it as WWII Triple Ace Col. Bud Anderson's first aircraft painted as "Old Crow". The patch on the cockpit door signified the 363rd Fighter Squadron.

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