Basil Smith: P-39 Airacobra

Artist: Basil Smith
1925 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1982
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 10 by 9 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Perhaps most innovative about the classic P-39 Airacobra was the unique location of its engine behind the pilot, plus a terrifying 37mm cannon which fired through the hollow airscrew shaft in the nose of the aircraft. Advantages of this new design included superior vision and more accurate, concentrated firing power via the nose of the plane. The Airacobra also came equipped with a tricycle landing gear, leakproof tanks, armor-plating, and additional machine guns in the wings. The P-39 was one of the very few types of combat aircraft the United States had when World War II began, and as a result, bore the brunt of action in the Pacific and Europe until newer models were eventually developed. However, the P-39 was also one of the most controversial of all combat aircraft built in the War. When it first appeared in 1939, it was greeted as the most advanced aircraft of its kind ... but its performance was another thing. In Europe and in the Pacific it found itself outclassed as an interceptor for which it had been designed; thus, the P-39 was allocated other duties. The engine was its main fault, for it proved totally inadequate at high altitudes. But, the Airacobra did prove itself to be an excellent ground attack aircraft. In fact, the P-39 Airacobra's heavy armament and low altitude performance became so popular during the War that over half of its total production of 9,590 were purchased by Great Britain and Russia.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the P-39 Airacobra.

Artwork Copyright © 1982 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB07665

US$ Price: $950.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Shipping and handling will be added to the first payment. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.