Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>P-39>HA1705
P-39Q "Cobra I" Skylanes Unlimited Racing Team, 1946 Thompson Trophy Race "Jack Woolams"
General Background
The P-39Q has the distinction of being the most produced series with 4,905 built. The Q also was the last version of the Airacobra to be made by the Bell Aircraft company. The main difference between the Q version and earlier versions was the replacement of the 4 wing-mounted 0.30 – inch machine guns with a single 0.50 –inch machine gun mounted inside a pod attached to the bottom of each wing. The P-39Q-1-BE also regained the additional 231 pounds of armor of the P-31N-1
The Aircraft
The "Cobra I" was a racer modified based on the P-39Q to compete in the 1946 Thompson Trophy race in Cleveland, Ohio. The most noticeable changes included a four-blade propeller and the new ventral intake scoop under the main fuselage.
Tragically, pilot Jack Woolams lost his life over Lake Ontario during a flight after an engine change at the Bell plant.
Tragically, pilot Jack Woolams lost his life over Lake Ontario during a flight after an engine change at the Bell plant.
Specifications :
| Manufacturer: | Bell Aircraft |
| Number built: | 4,905 |
| Armament: | 1 X 37-mm cannon |
| 2 X .37 caliber machine guns | |
| a single 0.50 caliber with 300 rounds of ammunition in a pod under each wing. | |
| Powerplant: | Allison V-1710-85 1,200 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 385 mph @ 15,000 feet |
| Rate of climb: | 4.5 minutes to 15,000 feet |
| Ceiling: | 35,000 feet |
| Maximum range: | 1,100 miles |
| Combat range: | 650 miles |
| Wingspan: | 34 feet |
| Length: | 30 feet 2 inches |
| Height: | 12 feet 5 inches |
| Empty weight: | 5,645 pounds |
| Gross weight: | 7,700 pounds |
| Maximum take-off weight: | 8,350 pounds |
| Maximum internal fuel load: | 120 US gallons |
| Maximum external fuel load: | 175 US gallons |