Difference between revisions of "P-39Q-15 (USSR)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=p-39q_15}}
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{{About
 +
| about = gift Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = other uses
 +
| link = P-39 (Family)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=p-39q_15
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
|cockpit=cockpit_p-39q_15.jpg
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
  
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png|420px|thumb|left]]
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. This fighter has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29. It was gifted to players who participated in the alpha test for a year or more.  
{{break}}
 
The <span style="color:red">&#10029;</span> '''P-39Q-15 ''Airacobra''''' is a gift Rank III Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.  
 
  
The P-39Q represents the epitome of development in the Airacobra fighter series, and has finally replaced all of the small caliber machine guns with 12.7 mm machine guns, giving the plane's machine gun fire a much tighter grouping due to a homogeneous trajectory. This gives the plane a much needed accuracy boost to it's secondary armament and makes it a much more viable back up to the 37 mm cannon.
+
The P-39Q represents the epitome of development in the Airacobra fighter series and has finally replaced all of the small calibre machine guns with 12.7 mm machine guns, giving the plane's machine gun fire a much tighter grouping due to a similar trajectory. This weapons give the fighter a much-needed accuracy boost to its secondary armament and makes it a much more viable back up to the 37 mm cannon.
  
While the 37 mm cannon is indeed effective against all types of aircraft and usually deal critical amounts of damage, the pilot must take care to use it only under optimal conditions. The 37 mm projectiles are both slow and inaccurate and firing at targets further than 0.5 km away is optimistic at best, as the shot will not connect. Further more, if going against other fighters, the 37 mm has a tendency to not detonate it's explosive filler if it connects with a fighter wing if flying straight behind the aircraft. Always try to fire the 37 mm against fighters only when they expose as much of their plane profile as possible (i.e in a turn), or when you are close enough to shoot their tail off.
+
While the 37 mm cannon is indeed effective against all types of aircraft and usually dealt out critical amounts of damage, the pilot must take care to use it only under optimal conditions. The 37 mm projectiles are both slow and inaccurate and firing at targets further than 0.5 km away is optimistic at best, as the shot will not connect. Furthermore, if going against other fighters, the 37 mm tends not to detonate its explosive filler and glance off if it comes in contact with a fighter wing if flying straight behind the aircraft. Always try to fire the 37 mm against fighters only when they expose as much of their plane profile as possible (i.e. in a turn), or when you are close enough to shoot their tail off.
  
In terms of flight performance for its rank, the P-39Q is for the most part an excellent aircraft. While not necessarily as manuverable as spitfires of equivalent battle rating, it's speed and climb rate can give experienced pilots the upper hand in a lot of fights, if they can utilize it correctly. Ideally, a player should try to avoid turn-fighting as possible, as the P-39Q shares a structural design flaw like it's predecessors, namely that the fuel tanks are placed in the wings, which makes them much easier to hit than other aircraft, and not only making fuel fires more common on the P-39Q but also more damaging as they tend to burn off the wings of the aircraft.
+
Regarding flight performance for its rank, the P-39Q is, for the most part, an excellent aircraft. While not necessarily as manoeuvrable as spitfires of comparable battle rating. It's speed and climb rate can give experienced pilots the upper hand in a lot of fights, if they can utilise it correctly. Ideally, a player should try to avoid turn-fighting as the P-39Q shares a structural design flaw much like its predecessors, namely that the location of the fuel tanks are in the wings. With the fuel tanks situated where they are, this makes them much easier to hit and makes fuel fires more common on the P-39Q, which becomes fatal for the aircraft if the fires cannot be put out.
  
 
Note that due to the engine being center mounted in the P-39Q, the plane has a habit of going into horizontal spins in realistic/simulator battles, as the center of gravity has been shifted towards the center of the aircraft rather than tip, so try to avoid low speed manuvers while flying with the wings perpendicular to the surface
 
Note that due to the engine being center mounted in the P-39Q, the plane has a habit of going into horizontal spins in realistic/simulator battles, as the center of gravity has been shifted towards the center of the aircraft rather than tip, so try to avoid low speed manuvers while flying with the wings perpendicular to the surface
 +
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
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=== Flight performance ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''-->
 
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''-->
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
|-
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! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 
|-
 
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
|-
 
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,048 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,048 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
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! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
+
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
|-
 
| 570 || 556 || 9,700 || 19.4 || 19.9 || 18.1 || 10.2 || 280
 
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
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! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 3,048 m)
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! Stock
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
+
| 575 || 556 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 19.1 || 20.0 || 10.2 || 10.2 || rowspan="2" | 280
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
 
 
|-
 
|-
! AB
+
! Upgraded
! RB
+
| 635 || 602 || 17.7 || 18.0 || 20.4 || 14.4
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
|-
 
| ??? || ? || 9,700 || ??.? || ??.? || ?.? || ?.? || 280
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
====Details====
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==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
! Combat flap
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! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
! Take-off flap
 
! Landing flap
 
! Air brakes
 
! Arrestor gear
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
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|}
 
|}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
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! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
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! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
! +
+
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
! -
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 886 || 322 || 450 || ~16 || ~12
+
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 426 || 396 || 241 || ~13 || ~9
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
<!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''-->
 
<!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''-->
* No armour plating
+
* 15.87 mm Steel - Propeller hub plate
 +
* 15.87 mm Steel - Instrument panel plate
 +
* 7 mm Steel - Under the front canopy
 +
* 6 mm Steel - Behind the pilot seat
 +
* 6 mm Steel - Headrest frame
 +
* 6 mm Steel - Rear tail plate
 +
* 64 mm Bulletproof Glass - Pilot headrest
 +
* 38 mm Bulletproof Glass - Front canopy
 
* No armour glazing
 
* No armour glazing
* Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
+
* Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
* More fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage
+
* More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
<!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''-->
 
<!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''-->
 
{{main|M4 (37 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}
 
{{main|M4 (37 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}
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<!--=== Suspended armament ===
 
<!--=== Suspended armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
  
 
=== Defensive armament ===
 
=== Defensive armament ===
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}
 +
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.''
 
-->
 
-->
== Usage in the battles ==
+
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
The general strategy at the start of a match for a P-39Q pilot should in general be to climb up and face enemy bombers as a priority, as the P39-Q has an excellent climb rate and will be able to intercept bombers before they can reach their targets. Get in close from a weak spot in the bombers gun coverage and use the 37 mm to destroy them, as bombers are very large targets and easy to hit the 37 mm. When that is done, engage enemy fighters afterwards. Be mindful of engaging them in direct head-ons as the 37 mm won't be of much use due to low velocity and accuracy.
+
The general strategy at the start of a match for a P-39Q pilot should, in general, be to climb up and face enemy bombers as a priority, as the P39-Q has an excellent climb rate and will be able to intercept bombers before they can reach their targets. Get in close from a weak spot in the bombers gun coverage and use the 37 mm to destroy them, as bombers are huge targets and easy to hit the 37 mm. When the bombers are no longer a threat, engage enemy fighters. Be mindful of engaging them in direct head-ons as the 37 mm won't be of much use due to low velocity and accuracy.
 
===Manual Engine Control===
 
===Manual Engine Control===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! Type  
 
! Type  
 
|-
 
|-
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
+
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
===Modules===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
!colspan = "1"| Tier
 
!colspan = "2"| Flight performance
 
!colspan = "1"| Survivability
 
!colspan = "2"| Weaponry
 
|-
 
| I
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
| II
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
| III
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
| IV
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
+
<!--''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle regarding its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
* Powerful 37 mm cannon in nose
+
* Powerful 37 mm cannon in the nose
* Great Dive Speed Acceleration/Pickup
+
* Great dive speed acceleration/pickup
 
* Good secondary armament of four 12.7 mm HMG
 
* Good secondary armament of four 12.7 mm HMG
* Reasonable Turn Time
+
* Reasonable turn time
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
 
* Jack of all trades, but master of none
 
* Jack of all trades, but master of none
* Radically different weapon trajectories makes it impossible to hit with all weapons at the same time.
+
* Radically different weapon trajectories makes it impossible to hit with all weapons at the same time
 
* Slow rate of fire for the 37 mm cannon
 
* Slow rate of fire for the 37 mm cannon
 
* Long countdown for the 37 mm in both overheating and reload
 
* Long countdown for the 37 mm in both overheating and reload
 
* Inaccurate and slow travelling 37 mm projectiles
 
* Inaccurate and slow travelling 37 mm projectiles
* Tricycle landing gear, challenge for inexperienced pilots.
+
* Tricycle landing gear, a challenge for inexperienced pilots
* Glancing shots with the 37 mm cannon tend to not detonate, instead bounce off, thus dealing minimal damage
+
* Glancing shots with the 37 mm cannon tend not to detonate, instead of bounce off, thus dealing minimal damage
 
* Easy to stall with full controls
 
* Easy to stall with full controls
* Has a tendency to go into a horizontal spin in simulator/realistic battles due to the center of gravity being placed in the middle of the fuselage
+
* Tends to go into a horizontal spin in simulator/realistic battles due to the centre of gravity in the middle of the fuselage
 
* Fuel tanks are placed across the wings and are easy to hit, making fires in the fuel tank inextinguishable and lethal
 
* Fuel tanks are placed across the wings and are easy to hit, making fires in the fuel tank inextinguishable and lethal
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
The Q series became the most numerous and advanced of all the Airacobra family. It was a direct successor of the N series. The whole propeller-engine group remained unchanged: the Allison V-1710-85 engine, the reduction gear, the elongated shaft and the Aeroprop type propeller. Because of this, the flight characteristics remained virtually unchanged. However, a more efficient four-bladed propeller was fitted to the series from Q-21 to Q-25. As for the alterations, they mainly concerned the armament. The inefficient wing machine guns of rifle caliber were removed and usually replaced by two 12.7 mm Brownings in pods under the wings. But these were not always fitted. Most of the aircraft sent for export to the USSR had no wing machine guns. The suspension tank of 87 gallons was replaced by the standard 120 gallon tank. A tank of 110 gallons (416 l) capacity was used in the Q-5 series.
+
The Q series became the most numerous and advanced of all the Airacobra family. It was a direct successor of the N series. The whole propeller-engine group remained unchanged: the Allison V-1710-85 engine, the reduction gear, the elongated shaft and the Aeroprop type propeller. Because of this, the flight characteristics remained virtually unchanged. However, a more efficient four-bladed propeller was fitted to the series from Q-21 to Q-25. As for the alterations, they mainly concerned the armament. The inefficient wing machine guns of rifle calibre were removed and usually replaced by two 12.7 mm Brownings in pods under the wings. But these were not always fitted. Most of the aircraft sent for export to the USSR had no wing machine guns. The 120-gallon suspension tank replaced the standard 87-gallon tank. A tank of 110 gallons (416 l) capacity was used in the Q-5 series.
 +
 
 +
The differences between the various Q series consisted mainly of the search for the optimum combination of armour protection and internal fuel tank capacity. Takeoff weight, range and load varied from version to version. Altogether, beginning with Q-1 and ending with Q-30, eight series of the fighter was built, to a total number of 4699 aircraft. Of these, 3291 became exports to the USSR. Furthermore, a few reconnaissance versions of this aircraft, fitted with photo-cameras, were built by the Q series.
 +
 
 +
This aircraft was not used at all in Great Britain, because the high-altitude speed characteristics of the Cobra were considered unsatisfactory. The US Army Air Corps used the fighter mainly in the Pacific, in places in which it was impossible to use any aircraft other than the Cobra because of the condition of the airstrips, where the P-39, because of its tricycle landing gear, had no difficulties. Nevertheless, the American pilots feared and disliked the aircraft, calling it "Iron dog" because of its rear-mounted engine and rear centring. Documented cases told of the aircraft being deliberately crashed to speed up re-equipment with the more popular P-38.
 +
 
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
"Bell's P-39 Airacobra was a WWII-era American fighter that was notable for its uncommon design: the engine was placed behind the cockpit, and the landing gear moved from the tail to the nose. The aircraft was adopted by five countries: USA, Britain, Soviet Union, Portugal and Australia.
 +
 
 +
The P-39N was the first variant to be mass produced, with the P-39N-0 getting a new V-1710-85(E19) engine and a 3-blade Aeroproducts propeller with a 3.15 meter diameter. Starting from aircraft #167, some fuel tanks were removed from the wings to reduce weight, and a connection for additional fuel tanks was installed under the hull. To further increase flight performance, Soviet engineers often removed the wing-mounted machine guns, leaving two nose machine guns and a cannon.
 +
 
 +
As this variant, Bell produced 2,095 aircraft. Most of these were sent to the Soviet Union on the US's Lend-Lease program. In November 1942, the USSR received the first Airacobras, and the fighters showed good results in battle manoeuvres at low and moderate altitudes. Many famous Soviet aces — such as Pokrishkin Alexander Ivanovich, Rechkalov Gregory Andreevich, Gulaev Dmitry Nikolaevich and Kutakhov Pavel Stepanovich — piloted the Airacobras during WWII."
  
The differences between the various Q series consisted mainly of the search for the optimum combination of armor protection and internal fuel tank capacity. Takeoff weight, range and load varied from version to version. Altogether, beginning with Q-1 and ending with Q-30, eight series of the fighter were built, to a total number of 4699 aircraft. Of these, 3291 were exported to the USSR. Furthermore, a few reconnaissance versions of this aircraft, fitted with photo-cameras, were built on the basis of the Q series.
+
=== Notable pilots ===
  
This aircraft was not used at all in Great Britain, because the high-altitude speed characteristics of the Cobra were considered unsatisfactory. The US Army Air Corps used the aircraft mainly in the Pacific, in places in which it was impossible to use any aircraft other than the Cobra because of the condition of the airstrips, where the P-39, because of its tricycle landing gear, had no difficulties. Nevertheless, the American pilots feared and disliked the aircraft, calling it “Iron dog” because of its rear-mounted engine and rear centering. Cases were known of the aircraft being deliberately crashed to speed up re-equipment with the more popular P-38.
+
<div><ul>
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Alexander_Pokryshkin_profile.jpg|thumb|none|200px|link=User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|[[User:U64962917#Pokryshkin,_Alexander_I.|Alexander Pokryshkin]] flew the '''{{Specs|name}}''' once in which he landed on a stretch of German autobahn for a propaganda stunt in 1943.]] </li><!--
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|200px|"Image Description"]] </li>
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|200px|"Image Description"]] </li>
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|250px|"Image Description"]] </li>-->
 +
</ul></div>
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=p-39q_15 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
== Read also ==
+
;Videos
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
{{Youtube-gallery|k0xWIrlYSr4|'''The Shooting Range #55''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:35 discusses the Soviet P-39.}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
<!--''ETC.''-->
 
  
===Obtainable events===
+
;Related development
* <span style="color:red">&#10029;</span>&nbsp;P-39Q-15 ''Airacobra'' was given to those which participated in the alpha test for a year or more. (no longer obtainable)  
+
* [[P-39 (Family)]]
  
== Sources ==
+
;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
* [[P-63 (Family)]]
 +
 
 +
;Other US-supplied Soviet fighters
 +
* [[P-40E-1 (USSR)]]
 +
* [[P-47D-27 (USSR)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/86419-bell-p-39q-5/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
* [[wikipedia:Bell_P-39_Airacobra|[Wikipedia] Bell P-39 Airacobra]]
 +
* [http://www.airvectors.net/avp39.html#m3 <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> The Bell P-39 Airacobra & P-63 Kingcobra - P-39 Variants]
  
 +
{{AirManufacturer Bell}}
 
{{USSR fighters}}
 
{{USSR fighters}}
 +
{{USSR premium aircraft}}

Revision as of 07:48, 17 February 2021

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the gift Soviet fighter P-39Q-15 (USSR). For other uses, see P-39 (Family).
▂P-39Q-15
p-39q_15.png
GarageImage P-39Q-15 (USSR).jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/2/28/Cockpit_p-39q_15.jpg
▂P-39Q-15
AB RB SB
3.3 3.3 3.3
Show in game

Description

The ▂P-39Q-15 Airacobra is a gift rank III Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB/RB/SB). This fighter has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29. It was gifted to players who participated in the alpha test for a year or more.

The P-39Q represents the epitome of development in the Airacobra fighter series and has finally replaced all of the small calibre machine guns with 12.7 mm machine guns, giving the plane's machine gun fire a much tighter grouping due to a similar trajectory. This weapons give the fighter a much-needed accuracy boost to its secondary armament and makes it a much more viable back up to the 37 mm cannon.

While the 37 mm cannon is indeed effective against all types of aircraft and usually dealt out critical amounts of damage, the pilot must take care to use it only under optimal conditions. The 37 mm projectiles are both slow and inaccurate and firing at targets further than 0.5 km away is optimistic at best, as the shot will not connect. Furthermore, if going against other fighters, the 37 mm tends not to detonate its explosive filler and glance off if it comes in contact with a fighter wing if flying straight behind the aircraft. Always try to fire the 37 mm against fighters only when they expose as much of their plane profile as possible (i.e. in a turn), or when you are close enough to shoot their tail off.

Regarding flight performance for its rank, the P-39Q is, for the most part, an excellent aircraft. While not necessarily as manoeuvrable as spitfires of comparable battle rating. It's speed and climb rate can give experienced pilots the upper hand in a lot of fights, if they can utilise it correctly. Ideally, a player should try to avoid turn-fighting as the P-39Q shares a structural design flaw much like its predecessors, namely that the location of the fuel tanks are in the wings. With the fuel tanks situated where they are, this makes them much easier to hit and makes fuel fires more common on the P-39Q, which becomes fatal for the aircraft if the fires cannot be put out.

Note that due to the engine being center mounted in the P-39Q, the plane has a habit of going into horizontal spins in realistic/simulator battles, as the center of gravity has been shifted towards the center of the aircraft rather than tip, so try to avoid low speed manuvers while flying with the wings perpendicular to the surface

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 3 048 m624 km/h
Turn time20 s
Max altitude9 000 m
EngineAllison V-1710-85
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight5 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 3,048 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 575 556 9000 19.1 20.0 10.2 10.2 280
Upgraded 635 602 17.7 18.0 20.4 14.4

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 322 426 396 241 ~13 ~9
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 360 < 380 < 450 > 250
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
3,724 m 1,125 hp 1,556 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear322 km/h
  • 15.87 mm Steel - Propeller hub plate
  • 15.87 mm Steel - Instrument panel plate
  • 7 mm Steel - Under the front canopy
  • 6 mm Steel - Behind the pilot seat
  • 6 mm Steel - Headrest frame
  • 6 mm Steel - Rear tail plate
  • 64 mm Bulletproof Glass - Pilot headrest
  • 38 mm Bulletproof Glass - Front canopy
  • No armour glazing
  • Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  • More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB2 141 Sl icon.png
RB5 973 Sl icon.png
SB1 965 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts67 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces570 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 80 / 230 / 330 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Mods pilon bomb.png
FAB-250
Mods ammo.png
m4_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
m4_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition30 rounds
Fire rate150 shots/min
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min

The P-39Q-15 (USSR) is armed with:

  • 1 x 37 mm M4 cannon, nose-mounted (30 rpg)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, wing-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)

Usage in battles

The general strategy at the start of a match for a P-39Q pilot should, in general, be to climb up and face enemy bombers as a priority, as the P39-Q has an excellent climb rate and will be able to intercept bombers before they can reach their targets. Get in close from a weak spot in the bombers gun coverage and use the 37 mm to destroy them, as bombers are huge targets and easy to hit the 37 mm. When the bombers are no longer a threat, engage enemy fighters. Be mindful of engaging them in direct head-ons as the 37 mm won't be of much use due to low velocity and accuracy.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Not controllable Not controllable Not controllable Separate Not controllable Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 37 mm cannon in the nose
  • Great dive speed acceleration/pickup
  • Good secondary armament of four 12.7 mm HMG
  • Reasonable turn time

Cons:

  • Jack of all trades, but master of none
  • Radically different weapon trajectories makes it impossible to hit with all weapons at the same time
  • Slow rate of fire for the 37 mm cannon
  • Long countdown for the 37 mm in both overheating and reload
  • Inaccurate and slow travelling 37 mm projectiles
  • Tricycle landing gear, a challenge for inexperienced pilots
  • Glancing shots with the 37 mm cannon tend not to detonate, instead of bounce off, thus dealing minimal damage
  • Easy to stall with full controls
  • Tends to go into a horizontal spin in simulator/realistic battles due to the centre of gravity in the middle of the fuselage
  • Fuel tanks are placed across the wings and are easy to hit, making fires in the fuel tank inextinguishable and lethal

History

The Q series became the most numerous and advanced of all the Airacobra family. It was a direct successor of the N series. The whole propeller-engine group remained unchanged: the Allison V-1710-85 engine, the reduction gear, the elongated shaft and the Aeroprop type propeller. Because of this, the flight characteristics remained virtually unchanged. However, a more efficient four-bladed propeller was fitted to the series from Q-21 to Q-25. As for the alterations, they mainly concerned the armament. The inefficient wing machine guns of rifle calibre were removed and usually replaced by two 12.7 mm Brownings in pods under the wings. But these were not always fitted. Most of the aircraft sent for export to the USSR had no wing machine guns. The 120-gallon suspension tank replaced the standard 87-gallon tank. A tank of 110 gallons (416 l) capacity was used in the Q-5 series.

The differences between the various Q series consisted mainly of the search for the optimum combination of armour protection and internal fuel tank capacity. Takeoff weight, range and load varied from version to version. Altogether, beginning with Q-1 and ending with Q-30, eight series of the fighter was built, to a total number of 4699 aircraft. Of these, 3291 became exports to the USSR. Furthermore, a few reconnaissance versions of this aircraft, fitted with photo-cameras, were built by the Q series.

This aircraft was not used at all in Great Britain, because the high-altitude speed characteristics of the Cobra were considered unsatisfactory. The US Army Air Corps used the fighter mainly in the Pacific, in places in which it was impossible to use any aircraft other than the Cobra because of the condition of the airstrips, where the P-39, because of its tricycle landing gear, had no difficulties. Nevertheless, the American pilots feared and disliked the aircraft, calling it "Iron dog" because of its rear-mounted engine and rear centring. Documented cases told of the aircraft being deliberately crashed to speed up re-equipment with the more popular P-38.

In-game description

"Bell's P-39 Airacobra was a WWII-era American fighter that was notable for its uncommon design: the engine was placed behind the cockpit, and the landing gear moved from the tail to the nose. The aircraft was adopted by five countries: USA, Britain, Soviet Union, Portugal and Australia.

The P-39N was the first variant to be mass produced, with the P-39N-0 getting a new V-1710-85(E19) engine and a 3-blade Aeroproducts propeller with a 3.15 meter diameter. Starting from aircraft #167, some fuel tanks were removed from the wings to reduce weight, and a connection for additional fuel tanks was installed under the hull. To further increase flight performance, Soviet engineers often removed the wing-mounted machine guns, leaving two nose machine guns and a cannon.

As this variant, Bell produced 2,095 aircraft. Most of these were sent to the Soviet Union on the US's Lend-Lease program. In November 1942, the USSR received the first Airacobras, and the fighters showed good results in battle manoeuvres at low and moderate altitudes. Many famous Soviet aces — such as Pokrishkin Alexander Ivanovich, Rechkalov Gregory Andreevich, Gulaev Dmitry Nikolaevich and Kutakhov Pavel Stepanovich — piloted the Airacobras during WWII."

Notable pilots

  • Alexander Pokryshkin flew the ▂P-39Q-15 Airacobra once in which he landed on a stretch of German autobahn for a propaganda stunt in 1943.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Other US-supplied Soviet fighters

External links


Bell Aircraft Corporation
Aircraft 
Fighters  P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5
  P-400
  P-63A-10 · P-63A-5 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra
Jet Fighters  P-59A
Export  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▄P-39Q-25
  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5 · ▄P-63C-5
Helicopters 
Attack  AH-1F · AH-1G · AH-1Z · AH-1W
  OH-58D
Utility  UH-1B · UH-1C · UH-1C XM-30
Export/Licensed  ▅UH-1B · ◄UH-1D
  Tzefa A · Tzefa B · Tzefa D/E · ▅AH-1S early · ▅AH-1S · ▅AH-1S Kisarazu · ␗AH-1W
  ␗OH-58D
See Also  Fuji Heavy Industries · Agusta

USSR fighters
I-15  I-15 WR · I-15 M-22 · I-15 M-25 · I-15bis · Krasnolutsky's I-15bis
  I-153 M-62 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P
I-16  I-16 type 5 · I-16 type 10 · I-16 type 18 · I-16 type 24 · I-16 type 27 · I-16 type 28 · I-180S
I-29  I-29
I-185  I-185 (M-71) · I-185 (M-82)
I-225  I-225
ITP  ITP (M-1)
MiG-3  MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34
LaGG  I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66
La  La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20 · La-9 · La-11
Yak-1/7  Yak-1 · Yak-1B · Yak-7B
Yak-3  Yak-3 · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U · Yak-3 (VK-107)
Yak-9  Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9T · Yak-9K · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT · Yak-9P
Other countries  ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Fw 190 D-9 · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc
P-39  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15
P-63  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5

USSR premium aircraft
Fighters  Krasnolutsky's I-15bis · I-16 type 28 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P · I-180S · I-301 · ITP (M-1)
  LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-11
  Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3T · Golovachev's Yak-9M
  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5
  ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · ▂Fw 190 D-9
Twin-engine fighters  I-29
Jet fighters  Su-11 · MiG-15bis ISH · MiG-17AS · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-23ML
Strike aircraft  IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2 M-82 · IL-8 (1944) · Su-6 · Tandem MAI · TIS MA · Su-8 · Tu-1
  Yak-38 · Su-7BMK · Su-25K · Su-39
Bombers  Po-2M · Be-6 · MBR-2-M-34 · Pe-2-205 · TB-3M-17-32
  ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▂Hampden TB Mk I · ▂A-20G-30 · ▂B-25J-30