The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Silhouette drawings of the Bell P39 Airacobra fighter aircraft used for aircraft recognition purposes. First flown on 6 April 1939, the design of the aircraft was unconventional in major respects. The design included the unusual arrangement of the engine being fitted behind the pilot with the power being transmitted through an extension shaft to the airscrew. Another radical feature was the incorporation of a tricycle landing gear. The original combat worthy version fought strenuously in the bitter first half of 1942 against the Japanese, notably around Port Moresby, New Guinea, before being replaced by other types of aircraft. Before production of the P39 Airacobra was curtailed and finally stopped in July 1944, some 5000 aircraft were flown via Iran to the Soviet Union where they proved satisfactory in close air support operating from rough dirt and board airstrips. Other important users were the Free French and cobelligerent Italian air forces. In the period July 1942 to October 1943, a small number of P39 aircraft were operated by the RAAF before being returned to the 5th Air Force, United States Army Air Force.
A US Bell Aircobra aircraft is depicted in a Dispersal Bay at Seven-Mile Drome near Port Moresby, New Guinea. The Bell P39 Airacobra fighter aircraft used for aircraft was used in the Second World War
View of the port side of three Bell P-39D Airacobra aircraft, flying in formation over Australia. These fighter aircraft, seen with an American star on the wing and tail, belonged to the US Army Air C
View of the starboard side of a Bell P-39D Airacobra, an American fighter aircraft, with an American star under the wing and the number BW 117 on the tail. 22 Airacobras were delivered to the RAAF at
2nd Lieutenant Ivan A. Humphrey of Fleischmanns, New York, serving with the United States Air Force. He is seen here standing on the wing of his P39 Bell Airacobra fighter aircraft.
TADJI NEAR AITAPE, NORTH EAST NEW GUINEA. C. 1944-10. THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND SOME OF HIS MEN FROM NO. 8 (BEAUFORT) SQUADRON RAAF DISCUSS THE DAY'S ACTIVITY WITH MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FO
The Japanese crew and an Australian war correspondant(?) share a lighthearted moment beside a Mitsubishi Ki.21 heavy bomber aircraft (Allied code name 'Sally') at Labuan airstrip. The Japanese aircraf
