P-39N 42-9377 “19” of 4th Stormo Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force
P-39N
- Production: 2,095 units, making it the most numerous of the mid-series Airacobras.
- Weight Reduction: The P-39N had a reduced internal fuel capacity of 87 gallons to decrease weight. However, kits were available to increase this back to 120 gallons when range was more critical.
- Subvariants:
- P-39N-BE: The first 500 units were powered by the V-1710-85 engine and used an Aeroproducts propeller with a diameter of 11′ 4″.
- P-39N-1-BE: The next 900 units featured an Aeroproducts propeller with an increased diameter of 11′ 7″. Adjustments were made to the center of gravity to address balance issues that arose when the nose gun ammunition was expended.
- P-39N-5-BE: The final 695 units had 38 pounds of armor removed to further reduce weight. However, a small piece of armor was added in the rollover structure to protect the pilot’s head, replacing the clear bulletproof glass used in earlier versions.
- Reconnaissance Variants:
- P-39N-2-BE: 128 units were converted from P-39N-1-BE.
- P-39N-3-BE: 35 units were converted from P-39N-BE.
- Operational Use: The P-39N saw extensive service with the USAAF, the Soviet Air Force (under Lend-Lease), and other Allied forces, including the Free French and the Italian Co-belligerent Forces after the Italian Armistice in May 1943.