Comments on: A coveted billet, no doubt

By: Jmes Dunaway

Jmes Dunaway — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:40:22 +0000

Kevin;

Could you please put me in touch with your dad? I’m writing an article about about the RP-63 Pinballs, and would love to hear whatever he has to say about shooting at them from a turret or waist gun position in training.

I live in Austin, Texas; my
phone number is (512)261-8354.

Thanks very much,

James Dunaway

By: BombthePeasants

BombthePeasants — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:38:34 +0000

Casey, I believe that comment on the wing guns only refers to the N or Q models, which had replaced the 4x.30cal guns w/ 2x.50cals, which were sufficiently large enough to require the guns to be dropped a few inches below the bottom surface of the wing that a “gondola” was required to fit the gun. It reduced performance obviously, and the VVS felt that the M4 gun, plus the 2x.50cals above the motor were more than sufficient for air-to-air work.

Keep in mind that those Squadron/Signal books make no mention of Soviet documents and/or VVS pilot reports. It’s still a largely unremarked upon part of the war here in the West.

By: Casey

Casey — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:50:11 +0000

Darn. I’ll have to call Squadron/Signal, and complain. Just kinda “assumed” that the Soviets used ‘em for CAS.

I shouldn’t be too surprised, since the ‘Cobra perform fairly well at low altitudes. I imagine removing the wing guns helped quite a bit.

By: BombthePeasants

BombthePeasants — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:25:11 +0000

Casey, I must point out that this is a myth about the Soviets using the -39 as a ground support aircraft. They never even received the M80 AP rounds for the M4 cannons. The Soviets used it as an air-superiority fighter, to good effect.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-39_Airacobra#USSR

http://oksquad.free.fr/index.html?http://oksquad.free.fr/bells.htm

By: Wilko

Wilko — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:46:25 +0000

Xformed, It is indeed “sir” although a title rarely used (except when telemarketers call).
I tried to link to the article since it’s such a great story but alas, it could not be located.
BTW: Eubanks denied the exchange took place on his show but Snopes confirmed it.

I think we have a large number of long time Lex readers these days.

By: xformed

xformed — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:47:22 +0000

Wilko;

You date yourself, sir (or maybe madame) as a consistent reader of Lexisms….Thanks for the memories.