Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 (USSR)

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Rank 6 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the gift Soviet fighter Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 (USSR). For the American version, see P-39N-0. For other versions, see P-39 (Family).
▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0
p-39n_su.png
GarageImage Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 (USSR).jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/e/ea/Cockpit_p-39n_su.jpg
▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0
AB RB SB
3.3 3.0 3.0
Show in game

Description

The ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 Airacobra is a premium gift rank III Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB) and 3.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.31.

The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of the Soviet ace pilot Alexander Pokryshkin in the 16th Guards Fighter Regiment, who scored most of his aerial victories in a lend-lease P-39. It differs from the regular P-39N-0 by the removal of all 4 wing-mounted 0.30 cal machine guns. This increases for good measure the overall performance of the plane, with almost no shortcomings.

Thus singlehandedly allowing this air-superiority fighter to dodge several enemies at once, prominently with the tactical use of turn fighting. The firepower although reduced is powerful and accurate thanks to the nose-mounted 37 mm M4 cannon. The 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns are fit for pilots seeking to engage numerous aircraft, all of this is, with constant use of the characteristic trigger discipline from many Soviet planes.

Overall, the plane will prove to be reliable during mid-low altitude manoeuvres and lethal under the control of an ace pilot - An unique variant deserving collecting!

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 3 048 m644 km/h
Turn time18 s
Max altitude9 700 m
EngineAllison V-1710-85
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight5 t

This Soviet P-39N-0 is a low altitude fighter. Its Allison V-1710-85 engine can produce up to 1200 HP, however, it has only a single-stage, single-speed supercharger. Because of that, the plane performs optimally at low altitude (-4,000 m): at sea level, it can reach up to 575 km/h and at 3,048 m and it reaches its max level speed at 3,048 m, the level speed there is 644 km/h. Thanks to that it can outperform many other fighters like the early versions of Bf 109 or other American planes at that altitude range. The climb rate performance is decent, getting to 4,500 m should take about 4 minutes when flying with enabled WEP and full fuel tanks, below 1,000 m it can reach ~23 m/s. That puts it almost on par with some Bf 109 versions or the Yak-9, but only up to a certain altitude. Due to the engine limits after flying for 5 minutes with enabled WEP it might start to overheat, especially with closed radiators. Reducing the propeller pitch to 90-95% and opening its radiators to 15-20% or more will significantly increase the time for how long it can fly at full power.

Manoeuvrability-wise the Cobra is a decent plane. It can perform a full horizontal circle at 1,000 m in 18 seconds, but once it climbs above the altitude where its engine performs the best the sustained turn rate will be getting worse due to not a sufficient amount of power. However even at low altitude, it will not be able to outturn any Bf 109E or F version, the P-40F or Yak-9 are also much better at dogfighting. The plane also locks up quite a lot above 600 km/h IAS, although it is very good at diving, its structural speed 0 km/h, which is excellent compared to the other fighters at similar battle rating. Its roll rate is slightly improved compared to the American N-0 version because of removed wing-mounted machine guns, at 400 IAS it can reach ~90°/s and 75°/s at 600 km/h IAS. The turn rate performance can be improved by using flaps, depending on the situation to up to even ~20% at a cost of much higher drag. They can be extended to combat, take-off and landing position, but their speed limit is quite low, up to 425 km/h IAS, losing them during the fight will significantly decrease its dogfighting capabilities.

Simulator performance

In Simulator battles, the P-39 is a very stable plane. Unlike many other propeller-driven planes it does not require so much trimming to keep it steady, but remember the engine torque will be pushing the plane to the left; this will be more noticeable during WEP, so for cruising reduce the throttle to 90% for optimal flight performance, handling and fuel consumption.

The stalling characteristics can be violent and almost unrecoverable, it will reaching maximum AoA (Angle of Attack) at ~55% and with combat flaps at 70% of elevator deflection. After pulling it in, the plane will stall and then spin within a few seconds. Recovering from that state will take another few seconds or become almost impossible depending on the fuel loadout (the more fuel, the harder to recover).

Msg-info.png For better control, proceed to a test flight, trim the aircraft while cruising and save the trimming configuration.
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 616 595 9700 18.9 19.9 11.0 11.0 280
Upgraded 683 644 17.8 18.0 21.7 15.4

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 (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 380 < 450 > 312

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear322 km/h
Armour plates
  • 15.87 mm (5°) Steel - Propeller hub
  • 15.87 mm (15°) - Plate in front of the cockpit
  • 7 mm (67°) Steel - Plate over instrument cluster
  • 6 mm (5-16°) Steel - Upper pilot's seat and headrest encasement
  • 6 mm (5°) Steel - Rear tail
  • 38 mm (71°) Bulletproof glass - Windscreen
  • 64 mm (5°) Bulletproof glass - Headrest of pilot's seat
Critical components
  • The engine is located behind the pilot
  • Cooling systems are under the engine and in the middle of the the tail section.
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks are located at the root of each wing.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 027 Sl icon.png
RB5 611 Sl icon.png
SB1 746 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 × 60 / 230 / 310 % 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 weapon.png
m4_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition30 rounds
Fire rate150 shots/min
Ammunition400 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min

The Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 (USSR) is armed with:

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

Usage in battles

The Russian P-39N works basically like the American version, the only difference being lower mass due to removed machine guns and slightly improved roll and turn rate because of that. In realistic battles it can an advantage of excellent low altitude performance, most of low tier battles in which it will participate will take place there. Climbing in this plane is not an issue, it can get to 5,000 m in slightly over 4 minutes, so after reaching it will most likely encounter other fighters like the BF-109E/F, or the American counterparts.

Committing to extended dogfighting against all planes is not recommended, at its battle rating it can be out-turned by several more nimble planes such as the Japanese Zero, the British Spitfires and the Italians Re.2001 CN. In these scenarios is best to keep up the speed which in some cases is even 100 km/h higher compared to other fighters, then try to Boom and Zoom or perform chandelle manoeuvres with smart MEC usage.

The 37 mm cannon has low rate of fire, also its muzzle velocity is not that fast, so it is the best to surprise-attack slower targets such as heavy fighters, attackers and bombers. Going head-on with most of other heavily armed planes like the Bf 109 (Family) or Fw 190 A-1 will end up badly; the armament is too unreliable for that. Head-ons should be performed skillfully as last resort versus enemies with an nimble and weaker airframe as the previously mentioned dogfighters.

Enemies worth nothing

Against Germany it might struggle a little bit, the Bf 109 has better climb and is also better at instant turning so in most situations it is just the best to start using the superior level speed from 0 to 4,000 m, or go for a very shallow dive, they will not be able to keep up because of lower structural speed. The only concern can the Fw 190 A-1, its level speed is almost as high and gets higher above 5,000 m, the best way to win against them is just by using the superior turn rate, but the player still should be careful, the Fw 190 has a great roll rate, it might try to make the other planes overshoot.

Against Britain, the only planes that pose a major challenge are the Spitfire variants. Their turn rate is way more superior, the climb rate performance is also very similar, although is worse in firepower and durability, it will also suffer from overheating issues in any prolonged fight (Worst on desert maps), so they will start bleeding their speed very fast or otherwise damage their engine. In most cases, it is best to go for Boom and Zoom or high-speed Hit and Run tactics.

Against Italy, the only planes that can cause any problems are the C.202 and C.205 series. The C.202 is a much slower plane, its climb rate is also worse and the turn rate of the version with cannons very similar, it can be dealt with by either Boom and Zooming it or just dogfighting, but it is not recommended unless there are no other planes around, it will make the plane slow and easy to showdown, using the speed advantage is way less risky. The C.205 is a harder enemy to deal with, its level speed is still slower, by ~30-40 km/h (depending on the version), but the climb rate performance is the same, it also gets faster above ~4,500 m. Both the Cobra and Macchi have also very similar turn rate, dogfighting in this situation will most depend on the player's skill, but the C.205 have a much easier time with snapshots and high angle attacks, the cannon version is equipped with three 20 mm cannons, going for head to head is certain death, so after the encounter at similar altitude the P-39 will most likely be pushed to a defensive position, although it can still run away, the structural speed limit is higher by 80 km/h and the lower it gets, the higher chance for winning the Cobra has.

Simulator battles

In simulator battles its capabilities are limited by subpar visibility from its cockpit and the position of its gun sight, which is very low. It makes high angle attacks and leading the target harder.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great acceleration and great top speed in dive
  • Good climb rate at low altitude
  • Great top speed up to 4,000 m
  • Decent roll rate
  • Decent vertical and horizontal manoeuvrability
  • 37 mm cannon does a lot of damage when hitting enemy aircraft

Cons:

  • Rudder stiffens at high speed
  • Mediocre armament, low cannon's rate of fire and only two machine guns
  • 37 mm cannon has slow velocity which makes it hard to lead
  • Poor high altitude performance

History

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 changed to the P-39N aircraft after his P-39K was damaged by an Il-2 which inadvertenly fired its guns during a rough landing.

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