16.03.2009, 15:39
true enough...many USA service people purely hated the P-39. and certainly it did have it's faults, especially in the manner it was finalized into production and especially how it was used or had to be used during real life combat...at first, in early combat. later on, after air superioity was firmly established by more advanced types, it did very well, and did a pretty good job nailing ground/sea targets AND even luckless enemy aircraft that got caught within it's level of good peformance.
but there were some, even in the early days, that liked this aircraft. one oldster that i know at my local VFW swore it was more than good enough. he flew them for a good bit, and called them a true roadster of an aircraft. said they had great flying qualities if handled properly and used correctly and if respected and kept in their 'safe' zone of useage. he has remarked often that he particularly liked the "gentleman's" exit of the door over clambering over the cockpit rim of other planes...lol. he also was endeared to the brutal "punch" of the heavy cannon and the twin .50's in the nose. though he admits he never thought the 4 .30 cal's in the wings accomplished much except when ground straffing troops. he often said it flew like a dream...with little effort or hard control needed from the pilot.
yeah, it may be a totally unneeded aircraft...but i too wouldn't mind seeing the original 'test' aircraft and taking her for a spin. such stories from real combat vets really stir the blood. and wondering what this baby could have REALLY done has always been at the back of my mind.
good post up.
:wink:
but there were some, even in the early days, that liked this aircraft. one oldster that i know at my local VFW swore it was more than good enough. he flew them for a good bit, and called them a true roadster of an aircraft. said they had great flying qualities if handled properly and used correctly and if respected and kept in their 'safe' zone of useage. he has remarked often that he particularly liked the "gentleman's" exit of the door over clambering over the cockpit rim of other planes...lol. he also was endeared to the brutal "punch" of the heavy cannon and the twin .50's in the nose. though he admits he never thought the 4 .30 cal's in the wings accomplished much except when ground straffing troops. he often said it flew like a dream...with little effort or hard control needed from the pilot.
yeah, it may be a totally unneeded aircraft...but i too wouldn't mind seeing the original 'test' aircraft and taking her for a spin. such stories from real combat vets really stir the blood. and wondering what this baby could have REALLY done has always been at the back of my mind.
good post up.
:wink: