The Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra Fighters: Soviet Service during World War II

While the early-P-38-9 Airacobra aircraft may not have been well liked in USAAC and RAF service, introduction of the P-39 into Soviet air forces was well-received. Soviet aircraft available at the time, could not match its low-altitude performance or firepower.Over the years of Lend-Lease (to 30June1945), a total of 4,952 Bell P-39s were delivered; these were followed by the uprated and high-performance P-63 Kingcobra, with 2,400 delivered to the former-Soviet Union.The volume follows the pattern of all Y. Gordon and S. Komissarov books, including high-quality and numerous photos, 3-plan drawings and representative squadron color plates.Chapters include:- The P-39 Introduction into Soviet Service- Testing and Mastering the Airacobra- Versions of the P-39 in Soviet Service. (p. 39)- Airacobra in Combat- Soviet Aces Who Flew the Airacobra- P-63 Kingcobra in the Soviet Air Force. (p. 171)- Postwar Years: End of the Bell Fighters in 'Soviet Career' (p. 219)- Soviet Cones of the Aircobra- Preserved Examples of the P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra. (p. 232)On balance, another outstanding volume from the two author's.....for anyone interested in WW Two aviation histories, specific aircraft (these two from Bell, of course).HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !

The P-39 and the P-63 shown in Russian what a GREAT Fighters they truly were...GREAT Book for Airplane Lovers!

Fantastic series of books on Soviet/ Russian aircraft !!

I can't really think of anything bad about this title. It is fairly expensive for an airplane book, but it is large and nicely presented with a jacket. The text is incredibly well organized, and very detailed, but surprisingly not boring either. Ideal mix of photos and text. No brainer for a P39/P63 fan.

history of the P-39/P-63 Soviet service, in WW2, hard to find photographs

A surprisingly quick read, overall this is an excellent buy with interesting information that will be new to most readers. In particular, the table of operating units in chapter four give a pretty good idea of the number of units operating the P-39 while the unit histories provide ample coverage of the number of theaters where the Airacobra was employed.The brief biographies of the Airacobra aces in chapter five were also interesting reading in that it enabled me to go back and look at Dmitriy Loza's book Attack of the Aircobra’s which covers Soviet Airacobra operations from August ’42 to May ‘45 ( https://www.amazon.com/Attack-Airacobras-American-AgainstGermany/dp/0700611401/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Loza+attack+of+the+airacobras&qid=1574197172&sr=8-1) and be able to place faces names (Along with complete biographies.) to the classic Russian work on the P-39.Chapters two and three which take up a sparse 28 pages do provide a good background on the introduction and technical testing by the Soviet engineers and also makes for good reading. One area of surprise was the length of postwar Soviet service by both the P-39and P-63 with chapter seven devoting six pages to postwar operations.At the risk of sounding contradictory the book is so heavily illustrated and the font is large enough to make me question how much more detailed it would have been with say 1/3rd of the illustrations. My one other nit is the lack of an index. Given the number of units that flew the aircraft and the number of aces (64 pages, essentially 25% of the book is dedicated to the numerous aces.) yet in order to find a particular individual or a place you have to thumb page by page. Not good. Another questionable quirk was the P-63 chapter at 48 pages long is the same length as the three chapters that cover the introduction, testing and variant of the P-39 which had a much longer combat service and arguably more service testing.For all of this book’s quirkiness, using the “Amazon rating system” I really enjoyed it and consider it to be a cornerstone in my P-39/P-63 library. It is well illustrated, for the “train-spotters” there are comprehensive S/N listings, along with an ample number of color profiles to keep the modelers happy as well.Highly recommended without reservation for anyone interested in the P-39/P-63, Soviet WWII aviation and modelers.

A tour the force,showing how it is possible to produce a comprehensive work of the highest quality, even when for years material information was impossible to access.Superb production&reproduction

P-39、P-63のソ連での活動を扱った本です。今まで詳細が良く分からなかった実際の活動記録が広くカバーされています。レンドリースされた機体のシリアル番号や配備された部隊、エースパイロットなどが取り上げられ、写真も多く掲載されています。P-39、P-63という飛行機だけでなく、ソ連空軍に興味がある方にもお勧めの内容です。