Bell Model-14A/P-39D-1

Plane: Bell Model 14A (USAF designation: P39D-1)

Mass: 3781kg

Engine: 1,150hp Allison V-1710-35 Inline

Horsepower:  1060hp max brake horsepower

Wing Area: 19.8 meters^2

Weapons:

Ammo belting:

7.5mm MG: ap, ap, ap, ap, ap, tracer

12.7mm MG: ap, ap, ap, ap, tracer

Hispano-Suiza 404: ap, ap, ap, ap, tracer

Stall Speed: 158kph clean/145kph dirty

Best Climb Speed IAS: 270kph IAS

Maximum Reasonable AoA: 10.0 degrees

Top Speed Chart:

WEP Top Speed: 540kph

Climb Rate chart:

Roll Rate:

Turn Rate: (sustained) Flaps Up:   215kph, 197m radius, 17 deg/sec

Turn Rate: (sustained) Flaps Down:  170kph, 192m radius, 14deg/sec

Visibility:  Good.  This is the only fighter other than the Bf110C that has a view directly behind the pilot. 

Control Feel vs Speed:  Good at all speeds

WEP power boost percent: 10%

Safe WEP time: Over 10 minutes

General Comments:

The Bell Model 14A or P39 was the first export version of the P39.  More P39s were used by other nations than by the US during WW2, with the Russians particularly liking it for ground attack work.  This brings to the French Air Force their first truly decent ground attack aircraft.  The French ordered a number of these, however France fell before they took delivery, and they went to England instead.

The Bell 14A/P39 was built around a 37mm cannon.  Ironically, the 37mm cannon wasn't initially shipped with the early export versions of the P39, which is why the Bell 14A in WW2OL comes with the export version's 20mm.  This can be seen as a good or a bad thing depending on your view, as the Hispano Suiza cannon that the WW2OL Bell 14A has is a much better air-to-air weapon, and has arguably better anti-armor capabilities.  However, the high explosive shells the 37mm had could bring much pain and suffering to the German infantryman and his non-armored equipment, so there is a drawback to the 20mm.  And by the time the P39 shows up, most German tanks are capable of repelling 20mm fire, meaning only armored cars are vulnerable.

In order to place such a big weapon in the front of the aircraft, the engine was moved behind the pilot.  This reduced the need for rearward protection, since the engine itself acts as an obstacle for bullets coming in from behind.  Don't let the clear view behind you scare you into thinking you're not protected.  That's thick armored glass behind you, .30cal fire should be stopped before reaching the pilot. 

The Bell 14A is the worst turning fighter in the game.  It turns slowly for a fighter, and has a huge turning radius.  109s will have no problem outturning you, and 190s will finally have an opponent they can turnfight.  On the other hand, your rolling performance is very good, not H75 or H81 good, but better than a 109 beyond 325kph.  D520 drivers should be at home with this situation, as the Bell 14A flies like a fast D520.  Use rolling and flat scissors liberally when you get in trouble.

Speaking of speed, the Bell 14A is the fourth fastest plane on the deck.  On WEP, it can go 540kph, which is 10kph faster than a Bf109F4, and only 5kph slower than a Spit9.  A Fw190a4 will still run you down, however, so don't try to run away unless you're sure no 190s are after you.  But one option is to drag a 190 from his 109 friends, then turn and fight him.  The Bell 14A is also an excellent diver.  Feel free to chase diving 109s, as long as a 190 isn't following you down as well.

The Bell 14A should not be used as an air-to-air fighter except by an expert pilot, especially since the H81 does the job better, admittedly at a slower speed. 

The point of the Bell 14A in WW2OL is ground attack.  It is arguably the most versatile ground attack plane in the game.  It carries a 200lb bomb to crack tanks open with.  It carries the same 20mm cannon (with a short clip) that the Hurricane Mk IIc carries, and is useful against light armor (or if you feel gutsy, any german tank from directly above).  It carries a whopping 4000 rounds of .30cal fire to strafe those buildings and tree lines with.  The .50cals aren't bad either, however they'll run dry after only 16 seconds of fire vs over 50 seconds of fire for the wing guns.  And as an added bonus, you're faster and smaller than most ground attack planes, which should make it a little easier to avoid getting shot down by pesky flak28 and flak30 AAA emplacements.

The all-AP belting of the 20mm makes this gun ideal for taking on light armor (like armored cars or the earlier German tanks).  Keep in mind that this gun will not penetrate 30mm plating, so don't bother shooting PzIII's and the later PzIV's.

Be a bit careful after you deplete the nose gun armament, as the reduced mass up front will change your handling a bit, and make you more unstable. 

Another problem is the takeoff run.  Unlike most fighters, if you simply slam the throttle forward, you will hit the hangers on the far side before reaching rotation speed.  If you rotate too soon, you'll stall and crash.  Unless you know what you're doing, taxi to a corner of the airfield and take off along the diagonal.  The Bell 14A is one of only two fighters in the game that has a nosewheel, and this nosewheel eliminates virtually any tendency to veer to one side, making takeoff runs easy.

Specific Matchup Comments:

Bell 14A vs Bf110C: Use your speed and rolling ability to advantage. You don't outclimb a 110, but it cannot follow you in an extended dive.  Unfortunately, you're likely to be close to the ground if you're doing ground attack, thus diving isn't always an option.  Rolling scissors or flat scissors is the solution if one gets behind you.

Bell 14A vs Bf109: These are probably going to shoot you down a lot.  You will almost always find these above you, and they turn better than you.  However, this is a typical situation for a ground attack plane, so use the usual tactics:  avoid enemy aircraft, use escorts, focus on the ground battle, and if one gets on your six, start scissoring him and hope he screws up.  Oh, and if you get bounced, drop that bomb!  That bomb isn't going to kill any tanks anyway if you get shot down!

Bell 14A vs Fw190a4:  You're actually better off with 190s around than 109s, *if* you see them make their passes.  The 190 has an awesome firepower package, so if it makes a pass on you that you don't counter, you are likely going to add your airplane to the flaming wrecks on the battlefield.  However, since 190s don't like getting low and slow, they are likely going to stick to BnZ, meaning you can dodge them as they attack, then get back to ground attack until they get turned around.