P-39.

This is coolbert:

Here is an interesting article that describes how the Soviet pilots were able to put the P-39 AirCobra to good use.

A plane, the P-39, NOT liked by American pilots. Was sent as lend-lease to the Soviets by the thousands.

An aircraft that was deficient ABOVE 15,000 feet. Did NOT have a turbo-supercharger for the engine.

An aircraft of unusual design. Had the engine TO THE REAR OF THE PILOT!! Fired a cannon [37 mm] and machine guns [disabled in some instances at the insistence of the Soviets.].

Was utilized by the Soviet in roles that were commensurate with the aircraft's positive features. Below 15,000 feet, the P-39 WAS a good combat aircraft. In ABLE hands an effective dog-fighter. AGAIN, below 15,000 feet.

Roles filled by the P-39 included:

* "cover or protect ground forces."

* "escort Il-2 Shturmoviks or Pe-2 dive bombers."

* "reconnaissance, both air and ground."

* "'free hunt', wherein pairs of experienced Soviet fighter pilots were permitted to conduct deep penetrations of German airspace over land or sea to search for air or ground targets."

* "ground attack".

[this is another example of where an aircraft, or any other weapon system for that matter, has both positive and negative features [you have to assume there is NO IDEAL weapons system!!??]. Maximize your postive aspects and AVOID circumstances where the enemy can take advantage of your negatives. Simple!]

Read also about Pokryshkin. A Soviet ace that flew the P-39 and was more than successful.

"Guards Colonel Aleksandr Pokryshkin, who finished the war as the number two Soviet ace with 59 individual and 6 shared kills, reportedly flew the P-39 for 48 of his kills."

"When the Second World War ended Pokryshkin found himself shunned due to his war-time preference for non-Soviet aircraft [the P-39]."

"He fought in very complicated conditions: constant retreat, poor to no control and communication, overwhelming odds against superior opponent. He would later say 'one who hasn't fought in 1941–1942 has not truly tasted war'."

According to Suvorov, Pokryshkin is a legend in Soviet circles. The number two Soviet ace in World War Two. A natural!!?? NO matter what plane he flew in combat, he would do well.

"I saw Pokryshkin in battle when he had more than fifty German aircraft to his credit. Stalin personally issued an order that he was to be backed up by two squadrons. When he went hunting for enemy planes he would have his # 2 on his tail and two squadrons behind, one a little higher and the other a little lower." - - Major-general of the Air Force Kuchamov.

coolbert