Help needed with RAF Airacobra 1’s.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

HELP NEEDED .... I am finishing up my build of an Bell Airacobra 1 in the P-39 Single type group build. I have a drop tank with the kit that i might need to use ? All my photo’s including the file at Boxart Den Dont show them equipped with a drop tank. They didn't fly many missions in Airacobras. However they did fly a small number of Rhubarb type missions over the french coast on 9th, 10th, 11th of October 1941, to test the aircraft ? I also know they worked up in the type thru March of 1942. So its possible more missions occured but aren't listed on my source. Question as i Dont know a lot of details of a Rhubarb Mission’s but would the tank give them needed loiter time over france ? Any help with this is of course greatly appreciated. 

 

Dennis

Edited October 12, 2018 by Corsairfoxfouruncle

[Beard]

Dennis,

Rhubarbs were attacks, by small groups of fighters, on targets of opportunity so a drop tank would be useful. I believe 601 Squadron only flew one combat mission, an attack on enemy barges.

However, a brief look for photographs of 601 Squadron Aircobras reveals none with drop tanks.

Edited October 12, 2018 by Beard
to correct spelling.

[Truro Model Builder]

There is an excellent article on the Airacobra in RAF service in volume 6 of the International Air Power Review. None of the photos show drop tanks fitted, though there is also one of an Airacobra I, BW114, being evaluated by the RAAF at Laverton with a tank under the centreline. It may have later gone to the USAAF in the Far East along with other Airacobras intended for the RAF.

 

After a less than glittering evaluation by the Air Fighting Development Unit, the type being described as "utterly useless", No.601 Squadron started to receive Airacobras in August 1941, trading in its Hurricanes at Duxford. A detachment was made operational at Manston from 6-11 October, during which time three operations were flown on 9th, 10th and 11th, with a total of eight individual sorties -five rhubarbs and the other three as escort for some Hurricanes on reconnaissance. Only three of the former aircraft fired their guns against enemy targets. In the end, a combination of poor serviceability, bad weather, unfamiliar handling techniques and mediocre performance marked the Airacobra's period of service and No.601 re-equipped with Spitfire Vs in March 1942.

[Dave Fleming]

Most pics of 601's Airacobras were taken on the press day at Duxford, Flight has some reasonably hi res copies on their website for a while. NOne of them carried tanks, but that may have been for the press. I've never seen a photo of an operational RAF 'Cobra with a tank

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Thank you @Truro Model Builder, & @Dave Fleming Thank you for the information. I opted to just use the rack.

[brewerjerry]

Hi

    I think somewhere i remember that there was a P-39D at RAE, I can't recall if the photo i saw had a drop tank attached

think the photo was in a book on boscombe down ? 

    cheers

       jerry

[Dave Fleming]

They had a C and a D, neither had tanks as I recall