P-39Q-5

Description

The P-39Q-5 Airacobra is a rank American fighter with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The primary purpose of a P-39 is that of a low-level interceptor against low-energy aircraft. It lacks the high-altitude performance needed to engage strategic bombers. The 37 mm M4's dropping trajectory and slow rate of fire make it useless in head-on passes. Therefore, prioritise low altitude objectives, like escorting attackers & low alt bombers, or preying on the ones of the enemy.

Compared to the P-39N-0, the Q-5 trades the four .30 calibre machine guns for another pair of .50 calibre machine guns in under-wing gun pods. Keep in mind that these underwing gun pods increase drag, wing loading, and decrease maximum speed in exchange for more firepower.

General info

Flight performance

Details

Survivability and armour

• 15.87 mm Steel - Propeller hub
• 15.87 mm Steel - Plate in front of the cockpit
• 7 mm Steel - Plate over the instrument cluster
• 6 mm Steel - Upper pilot's seat and headrest encasement
• 6 mm Steel - Rear tail
• 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windscreen
• 64 mm Bulletproof glass - Headrest of pilot's seat

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Offensive armament

The P-39Q-5 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)
• 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

Suspended armament

The P-39Q-5 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 6 x M8 rockets
• 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb (500 lb total)

Usage in battles

Basic dogfighting skills apply. Use energy tactics and only fire the cannon under optimum conditions. It is advised to utilise separate keys for the main weapons.

Otherwise, utilise the given machine guns at every opportunity. The centre/cowling mounted .50 cals provide great long-range accuracy & harassment.

"Jack of all trades, master of none" is the credo of the Airacobra. Thus, the basic tactic is to analyse your opponent's weakness and then exploit it. The P-39 will always be able to find an area in which to surpass the foe, or at least is on par to let the skill decide.

Given the P-39's sleek and rather an aerodynamic form, Boom & Zoom is the preferred form of combat. However, this aircraft is capable of turn-fighting as well. Again, the P-39 provides all the options a pilot would want, a "Jack of all trades, master of none".

Manual Engine Control

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Heavy armament
• Great dive speed and acceleration
• Good secondary armament of four HMG
• Reasonable turn time
• High top-end diving speed, can dive up to +800 km/h
• Good climb rate

Cons:

• "Jack of all trades, but master of none"
• Different weapon trajectories make aiming difficult
• 37 mm projectiles have extremely low accuracy and muzzle velocity
• 37 mm projectiles are incapable of defeating tank armour, even at optimal angles with AP-T rounds
• Long countdown for the 37 mm in both overheating and reload
• Easy to stall with full controls
• Low ammo count for the machine guns
• More prone to overheating than the P-39N-0
• About 50 km/h slower than the P-39N-0 at optimal altitude (2,800 metres)
• .50 cal underwing gun pods increase drag and wing loading

History

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the P-39Q-5 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

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;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance